Deaf in Iceland


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

From 1820-1867 deaf Icelanders were sent to Copenhagen for schooling. After 1/3 of the students died, it was decided to do local training. The first school for the deaf was founded in 1867 by Rev. Páll Pálsson. He had been educated in Denmark. He was instrumental in moving parliament to mandate formal education for all deaf children in 1872. Icelandic Sign Language, ISL or ÍTM (Icelandic: Íslenskt táknmál) is based upon Danish Sign Language. In the early 20th century the school moved to Reykjavik and became a boarding school. Until1981 the school did not teach sign language but attempted oralism. This method teaches the deaf to lip read and speak. Finally in 1981 the policy of oralism was abandoned.

Meanwhile the Icelandic Association for the Deaf was formed in 1960. This group supplies services and social activities and advocates for the deaf. In 2011 parliament approved ISLas one of the recognized official languages. In 2024 Deaf students were enrolled in Hlíðarskóli, which is a school for those with behavioral, emotional or communication problems. Because of the large number of deaf refugees, there were students from 7 different deaf languages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The hard of hearing can get hearing aids. Some deaf can get cochlear implants. These two groups can enter the hearing world. But for those that cannot, life is hard. Education is difficult. Job training is limited, and finding employment is even more difficult. The deaf face discrimination even ostracism. Legal rights are not always enforced. Social events are limited.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the first school taught Christian values, that was long ago. Besides the state church, there are other churches and other religions. Many Icelanders are no religion. The state church called the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland has a minister dedicated to working with the deaf.


What Are Their Needs?

Vocational training and integration into wider culture are needed. Social services and access to legal protection are also needed.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy spirit to touch the lives of deaf people, who can then witness to others. Pray for missionaries who are called to minister to the deaf. Pray for deaf refugees to be able to adjust and settle in the country.


Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Iceland.


References

https://www.icelandreview.com/news/society/iceland-receives-unexpectedly-high-proportion-of-deaf-refugees/https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/29407/1/Icelandic%20Deaf%20Culture%20-%20Haukur%20Darri%20Hauksson.pdf


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Deaf
People Name in Country Deaf
Pronunciation def
Alternate Names
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 50,266,000
Total Countries 216
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 0  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 19007
ROP3 Code 114916
Country Iceland
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Iceland
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.27 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
90.60 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.11 %
Non-Religious
8.33 %
Other / Small
0.69 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Icelandic Sign Language (800 speakers)
Language Code icl   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Icelandic Sign Language (800 speakers)
Language Code icl   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Icelandic Sign Language

Primary Language:  Icelandic Sign Language

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Faysal Khan - Pixabay 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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