Language Lounge: Estonian sign language

VINCENT TEETSOV

Like many people probably, I used to have the false understanding that Deaf communities around the world communicate with one sign language that is clearly understood everywhere. In reality, there are many different sign languages, just as there are many different spoken languages.

Eesti viipekeel (EVK, or Estonian Sign Language) is one of these. According to Merilin Miljan, of the Institute of the Estonian Language, EVK is “the first language of about 2,000 deaf people living in Estonia”, in addition to there being a number of Estonians who communicate with Russian Sign Language. This doesn’t include deaf people who communicate verbally and use lip reading.

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Still from Jari Pärgma’s “Oh, What A World” video.