Malta
National Sign Language
Lingwi tas-Sinjali Maltin (LSM)
in English: Maltese Sign Language
Language Status: 5 (Developing)
Legal Recognition
"The Maltese Sign Language (LSM) was officially recognized by parliament in March 2016."
"The objects of this Bill are to provide for the setting up, composition and functions of the Sign Language Council of Malta, which is being set up in order to achieve a situation where the deaf community is consulted on matters relating to Maltese Sign Language; the Bill also provides for the promotion of the use and development of Maltese Sign Language, whilst declaring that the Maltese Sign Language is to be considered an official language of Malta, and for other matters ancillary or consequential thereto."
"Sign Language Legislation in the European Union", Wheatley, M., A. Pabsch., Edition II. Brussels, EUD, 2012
"Maltese Sign Language is not recognised or mentioned in any legislation in the country. Access is provided through the Equal Opportunities Act (EOA) 2000, which aims to abolish discrimination on the language disability but does not concretely specify the needs of Deaf people (such as the provision of sign langauge interpreters).
Education is mostly oral; sign language is not part of the curriculum for Deaf students. "
Number of Deaf Sign Language Users
200 (EUD website, December 2016)
