Recognition of Langue des Signes Québécoise in Eastern Canada

Abstract

This contribution addresses language policy and planning (LPP) for sign languages (SL) in Canada, focusing on the situation of Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) in the east, particularly in Quebec and Ontario. Drawing on papers from the deaf press, government and scientific reports, legislation, experiments, surveys, social services, and official educational programs, we present an overview of the distribution of SLs across Canada, which has two legitimate SLs: American Sign Language (ASL) and LSQ. This characterization includes a description of educational policies and focuses on the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. We also describe the actions undertaken by Canadian Deaf communities and their arguments in support of the official recognition of SL, with an emphasis on education. We provide a detailed account of what has been achieved in terms of the government's response to these efforts (e.g., implementation of an LSQ-French bilingual program in Ottawa and Montreal deaf schools). Finally, we offer a critical look at SL policies and discuss issues surrounding the (non)recognition of SL in deaf education.