teckenspråket

Teckenspråket is the term used in Swedish to refer to sign languages. In Sweden, Svenskt teckenspråk (STS) is the sign language most widely used by Deaf communities. STS is a natural language with its own grammar, lexicon, and syntax, and it is not simply a signed version of Swedish. It relies on visual-gestural communication, combining manual signs with facial expressions and body language, and it exhibits regional variants reflecting local Deaf communities.

Linguistically, STS is a visual-gestural language with distinct phonology, morphology, and syntax. Meaning is conveyed through handshape, movement, location, and orientation, along with non-manual markers such as facial expressions and head and body movements. Its word order can differ from Swedish and often follows topic-comment or predicate-argument structures. The language includes regional dialects and borrows signs from international sign languages through contact with diverse Deaf communities.

Usage and accessibility: STS is used in homes, schools for the Deaf, workplaces, and public events. Many Deaf Swedes are bilingual in STS and Swedish. Education and media increasingly incorporate STS through sign language interpretation, subtitles, and content produced in STS. Sign language interpreters and educational resources play a key role in facilitating access to services and information for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

History and status: Sign language has a long-standing presence within Swedish Deaf communities, and STS developed from regional sign systems and contacts with other sign languages. In contemporary Sweden, STS is recognized as a language that serves as an important cultural and community asset. Policies and services aim to promote accessibility, interpretation, and language rights for sign language users.