Yolŋu Sign Language

Yolŋu (Yolngu) or Penguin Sign Language is a ritual sign language used by the Yolngu, an Aboriginal community in the Arnhem Land region of Australia. As with other Australian Aboriginal sign languages, YSL was developed by the hearing for use when oral speech is forbidden, as during mourning or between certain family relations. (See avoidance speech.) However, "YSL is not a signed version of any spoken Yolngu language... YSL also serves as a primary means of communication for a number of deaf members in Yolngu communities... YSL functions as both an alternate and primary sign language".^[2] That is, it is used for communicating to the deaf, but also when communicating at a distance, when hunting, or when ceremonies require silence. It was acquired from birth by the hearing population. YSL is now considered an endangered language.^[3]

Yolŋu Sign Language
Penguin Sign Language
Native to	Australia
Region	Gove Peninsula, Northern Territory
Ethnicity	Yolngu people
Signers	5,000 natively bilingual (2012)[1]
Language family	Pama–Nyungan Yolŋu Yolŋu Sign Language
Language codes
ISO 639-3	ygs – inclusive code Individual code: yhs – Yan-nhaŋu Sign Language
Glottolog	yoln1234

See also

• Australian Aboriginal sign languages