This research project examined how increasing contact with International Sign (IS) is reflected in the use of Flemish Sign Language (VGT) among Flemish deaf youth (aged 16–30). Two central questions guided the study:
- Which language ideologies and language attitudes do Flemish deaf youth express toward Flemish Sign Language and International Sign in a context of increasing contact with IS?
- Which signs commonly used in IS do young people use in their VGT?
The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, language beliefs and attitudes were mapped through language portraits and group discussions with a diverse group of young people. This revealed how factors such as family background, education, and social networks helped shape their views on language. In the second phase, the study examined the extent to which these beliefs were reflected in actual language use.
The results show that VGT holds strong emotional, cultural, and social value for most participants and forms an important part of their identity. IS, by contrast, is mainly used pragmatically, for example in international interactions, with attitudes and usage varying significantly among individuals.
These differing attitudes are reflected in two distinct language ideologies. On the one hand, some young people adopt a more preservation-oriented stance, viewing VGT as cultural heritage and limiting the use of IS signs to situations where they are functionally necessary. On the other hand, some adopt a more pragmatic stance, flexibly switching between VGT and IS and combining both depending on the context and the person they are communicating with. This “Mix-and-Match” practice can lead to certain IS signs gradually becoming integrated and even acquiring new expressive functions, pointing to a dynamic interaction between language use and language ideologies.
In addition, socio-demographic factors play an important role. Youth from diverse, multilingual backgrounds and socially varied networks are more likely to take on an innovative role in spreading IS signs, whereas those from more homogeneous networks tend to contribute more to the preservation of VGT. Contextual factors also matter, informal settings and peer interactions appear to encourage the use of IS signs, while formal and asymmetrical situations tend to promote more routine and pragmatic use.
In summary, this study shows that Flemish deaf youth, in a context of increasing contact with International Sign, make lexical choices that may reflect their language ideologies and attitudes, though this is not always the case and does not follow a straightforward linear relationship. Language use itself can also contribute to the development of ideologies. In addition to ideological preferences, context, personal background, and social networks play a crucial role in the spread, use, and entrenchment of these signs.
