4 Resources to Learn Polish Sign Language for Free

About the Polish Sign Language Language

Polish Sign Language (Polski Język Migowy, PJM) is the sign language used by the deaf community in Poland. It is estimated that there are several thousand speakers of Polish Sign Language in the country.

The origins of Polish Sign Language can be traced back to the early 19th century when the first school for the deaf was established in Warsaw. Over time, a unique sign language system developed among the deaf community, influenced by both French Sign Language and local gestures and signs.

Polish Sign Language is primarily used by the deaf community in Poland for communication. It is used in various settings such as schools, social gatherings, and deaf cultural events. It has its own grammar, vocabulary, and syntax, distinct from spoken Polish.

One interesting aspect of Polish Sign Language is the fingerspelling system, where individual letters of the Polish alphabet are represented by specific hand shapes and movements. Fingerspelling is used for spelling out names, places, and words that do not have a specific sign.

Like many sign languages, Polish Sign Language is a visual and spatial language, relying on hand movements, facial expressions, and body language to convey meaning. It is a rich and expressive language that enables deaf individuals to communicate and participate in the deaf community.

Polish Sign Language is recognized as an official language of the deaf community in Poland. Efforts have been made to promote its recognition and use in educational and legal contexts, as well as in providing accessibility for deaf individuals in various aspects of life.

Overall, Polish Sign Language plays a vital role in the lives of the deaf community in Poland, providing a means of communication and fostering a sense of identity and community among its speakers.