Ethiopian Sign Language

Abstract This chapter explores information revolving around the Ethiopian Sign Language (EthSL). It defines sign language as a visual-gestural modality expressed by hands and perceived through sight. The history of EthSL is closely connected to deaf education prominent even before or after the arrival of foreign missionaries, who only used Nordic Sign Language and American Sign Language. The users of EthSL developed their own community with cultural profiles and became fully part of the larger Ethiopian society. The chapter clarifies that EthSL is not a replica of Amharic as it became obvious that it is independent of any spoken Ethiopian languages.