Icelandic Sign Language

The Icelandic sign language, íslenskt táknmál, is the sign language of the deaf community in Iceland. It is based on the Danish Sign Language; until 1910, deaf Icelandic people were sent to school in Denmark, but the languages have diverged since then. It is officially recognized by the state and regulated by a national committee.

Icelandic Sign Language is distinct from spoken Icelandic; in 1999, the Icelandic Ministry of Education stated that, in the Icelandic basic curriculum, Icelandic Sign Language is the first language of deaf people, while spoken Icelandic is a second language. As such, deaf Icelanders should learn Icelandic Sign Language as their first language and Icelandic as their second language.

Táknmál is the Icelandic language word meaning "Sign Language". The word originates from the Norwegian "Tekenspråk". The corresponding word in Swedish is Teckenspråk, and in Danish it is Tegnsprog.

For more information on the recognition of Icelandic Sign Language and the comparison with other countries, see recognition of sign languages.