Colombian Sign Language

Colombian Sign Language is a language used by a rough estimated of 250 000 colombian  deaf people. (50,000 deaf in Bogotá in 1992).

Description
The development of the signs have influences of Spanish sign language and USA sign language. Also similarities with El Salvador signs have been noticed.

Teaching
There are two sign language schools in Bogotá (the first started in 1929), two in Medellín and one in Cali. Countrywide, three different institutions of support for deaf promotes the learning of the language. The national Committee for the sign language promotes the research in the area, distributes the manual alphabet for spelling and the Grammar Dictionary and supports the organization for sign language teachers. The national central of telecommunications TELECOM distributes a CD-ROM software for self-learning.

Relevancy
There is a growing interest for learning the sign language between the hearing people. Some schools use sign language in the classroom. Interpreters are provided at important public events, and for college students.

References and External links
ITEC - TELECOM Colombia. http://www.c5.cl/ieinvestiga/actas/tise99/html/software/lenguassenas/
 * Colombian sign language software available in : Lengua de Sen~as Colombianas (software). Divisio'n de Investigacio'n