Deaf in Portugal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Deaf population of Portugal is proud of their language and culture. According to the European Union of the Deaf, the Deaf population using sign language is approximately 11,500 (European Union of the Deaf ). The largest Deaf populations are located in Lisboa and Porto, with Lisboa being the larger of the two. Deaf people meet together on a regular basis for sports activities, association meetings, and other social gatherings.

An unsuccessful attempt to make Lingua Gestual Portuguesa (Portuguese Sign Language, LGP) an official language of Portugal was made in 2004. (Portuguese Assembly of the Republic 2012) Hope remains strong to make LGP an officially recognized language in the future.

Most Deaf students are mainstreamed while other Deaf students attend Deaf only schools. Public schools either include Deaf students in otherwise hearing classrooms or have separate classrooms for Deaf students where an interpreter is provided most of the time. Within the past 4-6 years a few Universities have opened their doors more readily to Deaf students.

Professionally trained interpreters are available in Portugal but more are needed. Some interpreters are available to assist students in the classrooms but many Deaf students have to pay for their own interpreters. Interpreter certification is available and has two main requirements according to a code of ethics included in legislation passed in 1999. The two requirements to be certified as an interpreter in Portugal are: training in a sign language, and completion of a college-level interpreting program using an approved curriculum.

Some materials have been produced in LGP including dictionaries, children's stories and educational materials. The Deaf community indicates that their greatest needs are for more educational materials of all kinds to be produced, for more hearing people to learn sign language and for Deaf people to take an active role in politics, government, creating awareness and leading within the Deaf community.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Portugal.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Deaf
People Name in Country Deaf
Pronunciation def
Alternate Names
Population this Country 20,000
Population all Countries 49,661,000
Total Countries 216
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 19007
ROP3 Code 114916
ROP25 Code 301989
ROP25 Name Deaf
Country Portugal
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Portugal
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.02 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
94.40 %
Ethnic Religions
0.01 %
Hinduism
0.08 %
Islam
0.32 %
Non-Religious
5.14 %
Other / Small
0.03 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Portuguese Sign Language (20,000 speakers)
Language Code psr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Portuguese Sign Language (20,000 speakers)
Language Code psr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Portuguese Sign Language

Primary Language:  Portuguese Sign Language

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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