Deaf in El Salvador


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

There is an estimated 15,000 Deaf signers in El Salvador, 0.25% of the population of El Salvador. The Deaf community of El Salvador indicates that they are composed of mainly three language groups: roughly 65% use Salvadoran Sign Language (LESSA), about 20% use a Salvadoran variety of American Sign. Deaf university graduates are now between 22 and 27 years of age. There are three Deaf associations in El Salvador. In response to past and present social oppression, the Deaf community is very engaged in struggles for equal access to information, employment, and social and civil rights.

Language (ASL) (either mixed with LESSA or following Spanish word order), and 10% use a combination of Costa Rican Sign Language (LESCO) and LESSA. In addition, roughly 5% live in rural areas and may use home signs. Bilingualism among ASL and LESSA users is common. Generational Deaf families tend to use LESSA.

Most Deaf Salvadorans work as low-paid laborers, although some are teachers or work with computers. The Deaf community has not historically had access to quality education (Caceres 2001); however, advocacy of the Deaf community and Deaf education has been slowly improving and expanding to serve more geographic areas over the last 15 years. Five public schools and one private school serve Deaf students exclusively.

There are also various mainstream and alternative educational opportunities. A group of the Deaf indicated that the Deaf community's highest needs are: improved Deaf education, developed and expanded use of LESSA, and standardization and certification for the interpretation vocation. The Bible in Spanish is largely inaccessible to most Deaf Salvadorans because of low Spanish literacy levels. A team from San Salvador is currently working toward a LESSA Bible translation. Deaf people congregate at a variety of Catholic or Evangelical Christian churches and Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Halls where services are translated through an interpreter. There are two Deaf congregations which conduct services in Salvadoran variety ASL.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in El Salvador.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Deaf
People Name in Country Deaf
Pronunciation def
Alternate Names
Population this Country 48,000
Population all Countries 50,266,000
Total Countries 216
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 19007
ROP3 Code 114916

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.03 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
94.63 %
Ethnic Religions
0.01 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.03 %
Non-Religious
4.90 %
Other / Small
0.40 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Salvadoran Sign Language (48,000 speakers)
Language Code esn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Salvadoran Sign Language (48,000 speakers)
Language Code esn   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Salvadoran Sign Language

Primary Language:  Salvadoran Sign Language

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2021)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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