Abstract
This entry presents the socio-political history of Zimbabwean Sign Language (ZSL). The language has no genetic links with any of the existing spoken languages in Zimbabwe. It emerged in the 1940s when the missionaries built schools of the deaf, and this is where most deaf children acquire the language. There are three dictionaries that have been published on this language. Like most minority languages, there are no existing descriptive grammars on the language. The current draft of the forthcoming constitution in Zimbabwe recognizes it as an official language and this is expected to boost the future politico-socio-cultural and economic value of the language. The aim of this entry is to present the social and political history of ZSL (or ZimSign). This is the language that is used by the deaf community in Zimbabwe.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Akach, P. (1997). The grammar of sign language. Language Matters: Studies in the Languages of Africa, 28(1), 7–35.
Barcham, L. (1998). The international dimension. In S. Gregory, P. Knight, W. McCracken, S. Powers, & L. Watson (Eds.), Issues in deaf education. London: David Fulton Publishers.
Charema, J. (2010). Inclusion of primary schoolchildren with hearing impairments in Zimbabwe. Africa Education Review, 7(1), 85–106.
Chidyausiku, S. (2000). Health perspectives and the role of health services: the Zimbabwean experience. Paper presented at a seminar on Meeting the Needs of People with Learning Disabilities through Inclusion. British Council, Harare.
Chimedza, R. (1998). The cultural politics of integrating deaf students in regular schools in Zimbabwe. Disability & Society, 13(4), 493–502.
Chimedza, R., Sithole, C. Z., & Rinashe, H. M. (Eds.). (1998). Zimbabwe national sign language dictionary (Vol. 1). Harare: Ministry of Education, Sport & Culture.
Chimedza, R., Sithole, C. Z., & Rinashe, H. M. (Eds.). (2007). Zimbabwe national sign language dictionary (Vol. 2). Harare: Ministry of Education, Sport & Culture.
Chiswanda, M. V. (2001). Education for the deaf and hard of hearing in Zimbabwe. In R. Chimedza & S. Peters (Eds.), Disability and special needs education in an African context. Harare: College Press.
Devlieger, P. J. (1998). Physical ‘disability’ in Bantu languages: Understanding the relativity of classification and meaning. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 21, 51–62.
Education Secretary’s Circular P. 2. (2001). Harare: Government Printers.
Kiyaga, N. B., & Moores, D. F. (2009). Deafness in Sub-Saharan Africa. In D. F. Moores & M. S. Miller (Eds.), Deaf people around the World. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.
Mhlanga, S. K. (Ed.). (2011). Zimbabwean sign language dictionary: A project of King George VI Centre and School. Bulawayo: Ministry of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture & Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa.
Mitchell, R. E., & Karchmer, M. A. (2004). Chasing the mythical ten percent: Parental hearing status of deaf and hard of hearing students. Sign Language Studies, 4(2), 138–163.
Mpofu, E., Kasayira, J. M., Mhaka, M. M., Chireshe, R., & Maunganidze, L. (2007). Inclusive education in Zimbabwe. In L. Green & P. Englebrecht (Eds.), Responding to challenges of inclusive education in Southern Africa. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
Musengi, M., & Dakwa, F. E. (2011). Language dilemma for the deaf child: Educators’ viewpoint. NAWA Journal of Language and Communication, 5(1), 45–54.
Nziramasanga, C. T. (Chairman). (1999). Report on the presidential enquiry into education and training. Harare: Government Printers.
Reilly, C. B., & Reilly, N. W. (2005). The rising of the lotus flowers: Self-education by deaf children in Thai boarding schools. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.
Schmaling, C. (2000). Maganar hannu: Language of the hands a descriptive analysis of Hausa sign language. Hamburg: Signum Verlag.
World Federation of the Deaf. (2007). Education rights for deaf children. Retrieved November 19, 2012, from http://www.wfdeaf.org/pdf/policy_child_ed.pdf
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kadenge, M., Musengi, M. (2018). Zimbabwean Sign Language. In: Kamusella, T., Ndhlovu, F. (eds) The Social and Political History of Southern Africa's Languages. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-01593-8_21
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-01593-8_21
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-01592-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-01593-8
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)