Tanzanian sign languages

Seven or so Tanzanian sign languages were developed independently among deaf students in separate Tanzanian schools for the Deaf starting in 1963, though use of several is forbidden by their schools. In 1984, a standardized Tanzanian Sign Language was proposed by the Tanzania Association for the Deaf, using common or similar signs where these exist in the schools which allowed research, but it has not been officially implemented, and there remains little influence between the languages. A dictionary has been produced.

The common Swahili name in Tanzania for these languages is Lugha ya Alama. (The name Lugha ya Bubu is also used, but is reported by Ethnologue to be pejorative.)