1.1 Introduction to Kenyan Sign Language
Definition
Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) is a visual-manual language used by the Deaf community in Kenya. Unlike spoken languages, which rely on sound, KSL communicates meaning through:
Handshapes – specific finger and palm positions.
Orientation – the direction the hand is facing.
Movement – how the hand(s) move to form a sign.
Location – where the sign is made in relation to the body.
Non-manual features (NMFs) – facial expressions, lip movements, and body posture.
Legal Status
The Constitution of Kenya (2010) recognizes KSL as one of the country’s official languages.
This gives the Deaf community a legal basis for inclusion in education, communication, and access to public services.
Importance of KSL
- Communication: The main medium of interaction among Deaf people.
- Education: Used as the language of instruction in schools for the Deaf.
- Identity: A carrier of Deaf culture, values, and social belonging.
- Inclusion: Enables participation in society, reducing barriers between Deaf and hearing communities.
Key Point: KSL is not “broken English” or a translation of Kiswahili—it is a fully developed language with its own grammar and vocabulary.
1.2 Sign Innovations
Sign innovation refers to the creation or modification of signs to represent new ideas, objects, or practices. This keeps KSL alive, flexible, and adaptable to social changes.
- Association
A sign is linked with an object, shape, or concept that is already familiar.
Example: The KSL sign for telephone is formed by imitating the shape of a hand holding a phone near the ear.
- Imitation
A sign mimics the actual action performed in real life.
Example: The sign for eat involves bringing the fingers to the mouth, as though eating food.
Imitation makes signs more intuitive for learners and new users.
- Convention
A sign is accepted by the Deaf community through agreement, even if it does not resemble the object or action.
Example: The signs for days of the week in KSL do not directly imitate anything but are widely accepted and understood.
Why Sign Innovations Are Important
They allow the language to grow and keep up with modern developments (e.g., computer, internet, WhatsApp).
They help Deaf people express new cultural, social, and technological realities.
1.3 Spread of Kenyan Sign Language
KSL has spread and developed in different ways due to interaction, migration, and Deaf education.
- Convergence
Occurs when different Deaf groups come together and harmonize their variations of signs.
Promotes standardization and mutual understanding.
Often happens in schools, Deaf associations, or national events.
- Divergence
Occurs when Deaf groups in different regions develop unique signs.
This leads to regional dialects within KSL.
Example: A sign for market in Nairobi may be different from the one used in Kisumu.
- Wave Phenomenal Theory
Explains how new signs spread outward like ripples in water.
A sign created in one place (e.g., Nairobi) may gradually be adopted in other towns and schools across Kenya.
Key Point: Both convergence and divergence show that KSL is dynamic, but efforts such as publications and national Deaf forums work to unify the language.
1.4 Kenyan Sign Language in Schools
Role of KSL in Education
KSL is recognized as the language of instruction in schools for the Deaf.
