In use since 1815, Norwegian Sign Language (NSL) was taught formally by the first deaf school in 1825. NSL is passed from generation to generation mainly through the schools. Signed Norwegian, comparitive to Signed English with respect to ASL, is used by teachers, while pupils use Norwegian Sign Language among themselves.
In addition to one minor dialect, there are two major sign language dialects in Norway, each from Trondheim and Oslo. They are distinctly different because of the alphabet sign systems they use.
Trondheim's is almost an ASL style (the one we use for NSL on this site). It uses a one-handed signed technique. Trondheim was also home to the first school for the deaf in the country. Danish Sign Language was an influence -- just as Danish was on the development of Bokmal, the oral Norwegian language. With only a moderate amount of difficulty, one who knows NSL can understand Danish and Swedish Sign Language. The Danes taught the French technique, which also heavily influenced American Sign Language. This accounts for the similarities between Norwegian and American Sign Language.
Oslo uses a two-handed signed alphabet very similar to that of the British Sign Language. The older generations of Deaf in Norway used two-handed sign very commonly. Although today, most young people use one-handed Trondheim, the two-handed method of Oslo is enjoying a resurgence of use and is being emphasized in schools, especially in Oslo.
There is a strong need to get together in Norway's Deaf Community. Only about four thousand Deaf regularly associate with each other, but perhaps around 12,000 Deaf exist in Norway. So the Deaf usually have one weekend established every year to meet and socialize for the good of the Deaf Culture. They have plays, poetry, presentations and arts, followed by a dinner party and other fun events. This forum provides Deaf people an opportunity where they can socialize and chat away for a weekend. This is necessary because the Deaf traditionally had no dependable means of communication except in person. This event helps to make up for lost time and nurtures the spread Deaf culture.
Also, the schools for the Deaf in Norway strongly encourage young people to participate in school sporting tournaments among the other deaf schools. Because of these events, many young people know many other young people out of their own towns and maintain good friendships with them. Despite many dialects, The Deaf can communicate very rapidly , with comfort and ease. This comfortable environment allows for them to joke around and have fun.
Norwegian society is progressive in that their laws require that signed interpretation is be made available in court, for college students, and for the Deaf who are in need of mental health services. Also, a committee is working to get NSL recognized as the official national sign language, so that Deaf students will be judged on their abilty to Sign their "mother toungue". Sign language instruction is provided for parents of deaf children, and many sign languages classes are available for hearing people to take. Some television in Norway uses NSL. Once a week the news is taped in Sign Language and the video tapes are mailed out to deaf people.
