Lámh

Lámh (/lɔːv/, from the Irish: lámh [l̪ˠaːw], lit. 'hand') is an augmentative and alternative system of manual communication used in Ireland by developmentally disabled and neurodivergent children and adults.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} Many of the signs are adapted from Irish Sign Language (ISL), used by the Irish Deaf community.^[6][7]

History

Lámh was developed in the early 1980s.^[8] It was discussed at the Second European Congress on Sign Language Research in Amsterdam in 1985.^[9]

Features

Lámh is not a true sign language, as only a limited number of expressions are possible. There are over 500 signs; speech is always used with signs and only key words in a sentence are signed.^[8]

Lámh is intended to encourage eye contact, develop vocabulary, promote attention to movement, and relieve frustration.^{[10][medical citation needed]}

See also

• Makaton
• Augmentative and alternative communication
• Disability rights movement