Ritið : tímarit Hugvísindastofnunar - 01.10.2022, Page 47

VAlgERðUR STEFáNSDóTTIR
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A B S T R A C T
We Made It Ourselves
This article concerns the origins and evolution of ÍTM, with a special focus on
whether its origins can be traced to DTS. The research is based on qualitative rese-
arch methods in the field of linguistic anthropology. The assumption is that using a
language is a form of social practice and that a deaf community is necessary for the
development of the language. With historical data about schooling and residence
and interviews conducted in sign language about the origin of the language and its
development, the history of the deaf community and the origin of Icelandic sign
language is recorded.
linguistical research and literature addressing Icelandic Sign language (ITM)
have typically described it, as a part of the Danish Sign language (DTS) family.
Results indicate that the previous conclusions are not well founded. The article
presents theoretical perspectives on the history of Icelandic Sign language, which
can influence our understanding of the history and development of sign languages
and the relationships between different sign languages. According to the results new
languages began to develop at least three times during the period under investiga-
tion. Icelandic Sign language has therefore constantly been endangered, dependent
on the intervention of hearing people, which is characterised by ignorance and lack
of understanding.
Keywords: History of Icelandic Sign language (ÍTM), ÍTM community, deaf scho-
ols, language transmission, power relations of languages.
Valgerður Stefánsdóttir
Doktorsnemi í mannfræði
Félags- og mannvísindadeild
Félagsvísindasvið
ÍS-102, Reykjavík, Ísland
valgest@hi.is