The Sociolinguistics of Ethiopian Sign Language by Eyasu Hailu Tamene

Author:Eyasu Hailu Tamene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallaudet University Press
Published: 2017-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Government Domain

Language use in such government domains as local authorities (k’ebeles), municipality, bureaus, and so forth, is mostly dominated by the use of sign language. Fifty-nine (50%) used interpreters who were family members or friends of a Deaf person. There were also 21 (18%) respondents who reported using spoken or written communication at the government domains. Twenty-one (18%) respondents reported that they never go to government places—a family member takes care of their interests. If they were not accompanied by sign language interpreters, then many found it uneasy to communicate with the officials. If they were accompanied by sign language interpreters, they would be expected to cover costs of transportation and allowance, if volunteers were not found. One of the respondents explained his experience as follows:

When I go to government places or election centers, alone, I usually find it difficult to communicate with the local officials. They usually insist that I come back with an interpreter, though it was supposed to be their responsibility to arrange that for me. I feel devastated as if I do not have full human rights like the hearing people.

As for the parents and teachers, the use of spoken language at government places is near universal. There is no good reason for why a single parent replied that she never went to government places.

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