Authors

• Rainò, Päivi (HUMAK University of Applied Sciences)

Keywords

Deafness, Hearing impaired persons, Hearing impairments, Minority language users, Minority languages, Mother tongue, Non-verbal language, Public sector, Public services

Abstract

The Sign Language Barometer 2020 data was used to examine how Finnish and Finnish-Swedish sign language users feel that their linguistic rights have been implemented.

The questionnaire first asked respondents about their language skills and their use of sign language in different environments and contexts, such as at home, during studies and at work. Respondents were also asked about any sign language education in their children's day care and school. Then questions were asked about the language climate, prejudice, harassment and discrimination in relation to sign language use. This was followed by questions about access to information and services in sign language in the municipality where the respondent lived.

Respondents were also asked how well they are served in their own language in public services, such as health and medical care, day care, TE services and police services. The next question asked about the interpretation services provided by Kela, for example, what interpretation the respondent had ordered from Kela and whether the interpretation had been provided in accordance with the order. Finally, questions were asked about linguistic rights, including how well the respondent knows his/her linguistic rights and how important he/she considers them to be.

Background variables included the respondent's year of birth (categorised), native language, region, level of education and occupational group.