South African Sign Language (SASL) is the primary language used by the Deaf community in South Africa. SASL was formally recognised in 1995, and is still being codified. It is promoted as the language of the South African deaf "community", although the deaf in South Africa form no single cohesive group.
In addition to SASL and about 12 other sign languages are used in South Africa, American Sign Language (ASL) is also popular, although since 2006 the teaching of ASL is officially discouraged. Most local sign languages in South Africa show influence of German and American sign language.
SASL is the sign language that is used during television news casts in South Africa. There are 40 schools for the deaf in South Africa, using a variety of sign languages.
Sign language is mentioned in the South African constitution, and the South African Schools Act permits the study of sign language in lieu of an official language studied at school.
Read more about South African Sign Language: Status, History of Education of The Deaf in South Africa
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