Chapter 3. Status
LIS has still not been recognized as a minority language by political institutions. However, hospitals, courthouses, notaries, schools, and other public institutions make reference to this language requiring its use in public and private situations. They thus recognize its importance and status by requiring the presence of interpreters or communication assistants. This contradictory situation creates a gap between the social condition (status) of LIS, supported by local and national associations, and its official recognition.
The present chapter addresses the following topics: ongoing issues about the current legislation on LIS (SOCIO-HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 3.1); specific language policies (SOCIO-HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 3.2); and language attitudes, namely the opinions concerning the status of LIS at the population level (SOCIO-HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 3.3).
