Legal regulation of sign language: linguistic-legal aspect

in different countries, languages that are recognized as official languages are in the respective legal field. The term “recognized languages” remains abstract and vague, which makes it difficult to precisely define its official status, especially with regard to sign languages. Commonalities in the wording of state laws concerning sign languages are identified in the way they uphold fundamental principles. Sign languages may or may not possess the features of linguistic officiality, both formal and material, as compared to officially recognized spoken languages. Furthermore, sign languages correspond to distinctive elements of linguistic minority rights. In other words, they do not have a clear status as valid official languages as spoken languages, and at the same time they are not considered minority languages, despite some analogies. The possibility of developing a legal theory of asymmetric linguistic officiality of sign language is substantiated. As for the legal status, an analysis of various legislative acts related to sign languages has revealed common features in the context of state laws regarding fundamental principles. The presented results of comparing various legislative acts implement the legal recognition of sign languages. They can systemize and unify the legal framework of national legal systems.

sign language, official language, recognized languages, minority languages, legal categories, legal status, linguistic aspect, linguistic officiality, legal field, linguistic and legal documentation