Italian Sign Language

Italian Sign Language, also known as LIS (Lingua dei Segni Italiana), is a visual language used by the Deaf community in Italy.

LIS originated in the early 16th century when Italian merchants came in contact with Deaf people in Turkey. They were inspired by the natural and graceful movements of sign language and brought it back to Italy. And thus, Italian Sign Language was born.

Nowadays, LIS is widely used across Italy and it has its own unique characteristics. For example, the signs for “pasta” and “pizza” are very popular and well-known among Italians. And if you ever go to Italy and don’t know how to order pizza, just make a “circular motion” in the air and you’ll be understood right away.

Another interesting aspect of LIS is that it has its own regional dialects. Just like with spoken Italian, different regions have their own variations of LIS. For instance, in the north of Italy, the sign for “grazie” (thank you) is often accompanied by a kiss on the hand, while in the south, it’s more common to touch your heart.

But be careful, as with any language, LIS has its own unique set of slang words and expressions that may confuse non-native signers. For example, the sign for “goodbye” in LIS can sometimes be mistaken for the sign for “cookie”. Trust me, you don’t want to accidentally say “cookie” instead of “goodbye” when leaving a job interview.

In conclusion, Italian Sign Language is a beautiful and unique language that reflects the culture and traditions of the Italian Deaf community. And let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to learn how to sign “pasta” and “pizza”?