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<p><span lang=EN-US>Dear all,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>I have found on <span style='color:#002060'><a
href="http://www.ethnologue.com"><span style='color:#002060'>www.ethnologue.com</span></a>
</span>that Catalonian Sign Language </span><span lang=EN-US>is </span><span
lang=EN-US>(I copy)</span><span lang=EN-US> “An indigenous sign language,
quite distinct from Spanish Sign Language. About 50% intelligibility by users
of Spanish Sign Language” and that Spanish Sign Language has “Small
differences throughout Spain with no difficulties in intercommunication, except
in Catalonia. Origin unknown, but it is reported that there are influences from
American, French, and Mexican sign languages”. I can realize the
existence of two different sign languages in Spain but I wonder if anyone could
give me more information about the origins of this differentiation (separate deaf
schools, Deaf organizations). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>Variability in sign languages is well documented for
various sing languages all over the world but at the same time most nations –states
are claimed to have one national sign language. It is really a question why in
Spain two sign languages can be identified in regions where the oral languages
of hearing majority are also separable (Spanish, Catalan). The case is similar
in Belgium. Is this distinction absolute real or does it reflect identity
construction issues? Moreover, standardization process in sign languages is probably
a demand of hearing majority associated with similar evolutions in oral
languages but I feel lately Deaf communities are also concerned. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>I am working on language planning on Greek Sign Language
and I am interested in similar research on other sign languages. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>Dimitris Mavreas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>Phd Candidate University of Athens, <a
href="mailto:dmaureas@vodafone.net.gr">dmaureas@vodafone.net.gr</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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