South African Sign Language (SASL) is now South Africa’s 12th official language.
South Africa is the fourth country in Africa to recognise sign language as an official language.
SASL is an indigenous language that constitutes an important element of South African linguistic and cultural heritage.
It has its own distinct structures and lexicon and is independent of any other language.
In the light of the new status of SASL, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will subsequently offer language bursaries and fund universities that teach SASL.
SASL basic training will equip frontline workers and public servants with SASL competencies to be able to communicate proficiently with the deaf community.
SASL was announced as an official language after Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Sign Language Bill last week. This follows after the National Assembly approved that a section of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 be amended to include SASL as an official language to promote the rights of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.
