Irish Sign Language

If you would like to book an Irish Sign Language Class, visit our page “Book ISL Class“

• Irish Sign Language is the first and/or preferred language of 5000 Deaf people in Ireland and approximately 40,000 people in general will communicate in ISL (family, friends, co-workers, etc).
• Irish Sign Language is the indigenous language of the Deaf community and research shows that sign languages are full languages with its own complex linguistic structure, rules and features. It is a visual and spatial language with its own distinct grammar and not only is it a language of the hands, but also of the face and body.
• Irish Sign Language is different from all other sign languages such as British Sign Language, American Sign Language etc.
• Ireland is unique in that we have gender sign language, i.e. Men and Women in Ireland have different sign languages due to being educated in separate schools.
• The Deaf community sees itself as a linguistic and cultural minority group as opposed to being disabled.