Caucasian Sign Language

Caucasian Sign Language
Armenian Woman's Sign Language
հարսներէն
Native to	Armenia
Ethnicity	Armenians
Extinct	(defunct)[1]
Language family	language isolate Caucasian Sign Language
Language codes
ISO 639-3	None (mis)
Glottolog	None

Armenian Woman's Sign Language, also known as Caucasian Sign Language or Harsneren (Armenian: հարսներէն, "bride's language"), is an indigenous sign language of Armenia. It is not directly related to the sign languages of Europe, though it may have historical connections to monastic sign language. It developed under marriage speech taboos similar to those operating in Aboriginal Australia (see Australian Aboriginal sign languages), and is now defunct.^[2]

The women in this late-eighteen-hundreds family cover their mouths, a taboo associated with speech taboos.

Under the strict patriarchal society then existing in Armenia, a newly married woman was not allowed to speak in the presence of her husband, in-laws and certain other people. She could make simple communication using Harsneren. A study of the language took place in Tavush Province in the 1930s.^[3][2]

The deaf community now has its own sign language, known as Armenian Sign Language.

See also

• Armenian language
• Languages of Armenia
• List of sign languages

References

1. Henry, Elizabeth. "LibGuides: Sign Language: Sign Languages: A-H". libguides.gallaudet.edu.
2. Torosyan, Lilly (November 12, 2019). "'Harsneren: Language of the Armenian Bride' to premiere at POM 2019". h-pem: Armenian Cultural Platform.
3. Kekejian, Carla (March 14, 2017). "Harsneren: Language of the Armenian Bride". Center for the Study of Women.