3.2. Language policy and planning

Recognising the linguistic rights of deaf people means ensuring their right to use sign language fully, both directly and through professional interpreters, within their territory without discrimination. This includes the right to receive education in their language and culture, be acknowledged as members of a linguistic community, and access services in sign language when interacting with public administrations. Deaf communities' demands are incorporated into language policies and practices, with goals varying based on each sign language's specific characteristics.

In recent decades, language policy and planning initiatives for sign languages have expanded notably worldwide, focusing particularly on status planning and legal recognition (Reagan, 2001, 2006, 2010). For Spanish Sign Language (LSE), numerous linguistic planning actions have been implemented to enhance its status, addressing a range of complex objectives.

The First National Congress of Spanish Sign Language, held in Alicante in 2001, featured discussions on LSE language policy and planning (Aroca et al., 2005, pp. 74–78). Shortly after, in 2002, the Third Congress of the Spanish National Confederation of Deaf People (CNSE) approved the first explicit proposal for LSE linguistic planning, aiming to promote greater social and legal recognition of the language (CNSE, 2002, pp. 53–68).

LSE corpus planning efforts have primarily focused on lexicography, grammar, scientific production, and standardisation. A significant development is the ongoing creation of sign language corpora (Quer & Quadros, 2015) (see chapter 4). Status planning highlights the legal recognition of sign languages to ensure deaf people's rights (Murray, 2015; WFD, 2023) (see section 3.1) and the expansion of LSE into interpreting, research, and media. Educational language policy covers the education of deaf children in sign language acquisition environments and the learning of sign language as a second language for hearing individuals (Reagan, 2010, p. 170) (see section 2.4). Family language policy, another dimension, focuses on families' language choices and sign language acquisition.

From a public policy perspective, the Center for Linguistic Standardisation of Spanish Sign Language (CNLSE) has produced two reports detailing LSE's status in various areas and proposing actions (CNLSE, 2014, 2020). The 2020 report was crucial for approving the Strategic Framework for the Protection, Promotion, and Revitalisation of Spanish Sign Language 2023–2030.

Esteban Saiz, M. L. (2024). Socio-historical background: Status: Language policy and planning. In S. Villameriel García (Ed.), Gramática de la Lengua de Signos Española (GramLSE) / Grammar of Spanish Sign Language (GramLSE). Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad-Centro de Normalización Lingüística de la Lengua de Signos Española. Retrieved Month DD, YYYY, from https://cnlse.es/es/recursos/gramlse/ingles/index/socio-historical-background/chapter-3-status/3-2-language-policy-and-planning