| Caucasian Sign Language | |
|---|---|
| Armenian Woman's Sign Language | |
| հարսներէն | |
| Native to | Armenia |
| Ethnicity | Armenians |
| Extinct | (defunct)[1] |
language isolate
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | None (mis) |
| Glottolog | arme1259 |
Armenian Woman's Sign Language, also known asCaucasian Sign Language orHarsneren (Armenian:հարսներէն, "bride's language"), is an indigenoussign language ofArmenia. It is not directly related to the sign languages of Europe, though it may have historical connections tomonastic sign language. It developed under marriagespeech taboos similar to those operating in Aboriginal Australia (seeAustralian Aboriginal sign languages), and is now defunct.[2]
Under the strictpatriarchal 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 usingHarsneren. A study of the language took place inTavush Province in the 1930s.[3][2]
Thedeaf community now has its own sign language, known asArmenian Sign Language.
