Deaf News: Slovenian sign language proposal approved by government

Plans to make Slovenian Sign Language an official language in the country’s constitution have been formally endorsed by the state’s government.

The proposal, submitted to the National Assembly last week, would see the language granted legal status if approved.

The Slovenian news agency STA reports that Minister Knsenija Klampfer welcomed the move, saying “communication and language as well as the right to their use are essential for social inclusion and implementation of the basic human rights”.

“Without communication an individual cannot fully participate in the society,” she said.

In a video on their website, Slovenia’s Association of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired call on the National Assembly to approve the changes by 14 November, which is the Day of the Slovenian Sign Language.

They also go on to add that if the proposal is successful, the country would be the fifth country in the European Union to have its national sign language legally recognised, joining Austria, Hungary, Portugal and Finland.

British Sign Language is yet to receive legal status, despite being officially recognised by the UK Government in 2003.

By Liam O’Dell, with translation support provided by Veronika Snoj.

Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and makes the occasional video about deaf awareness on his YouTube channel. He can also be found talking about disability, politics, theatre, books and music on his Twitter, and on his website.