3.2. Language policy
In this section, policy is used in the sense that the concrete courses of actions are implemented by state and non-state agencies about the requirements by laws and regulations. Policies regarding sign language acquisition and education are explicated in the section about Deaf education [Socio-historical Background - 2.4.].
As the first solid attempt to fulfill the promises in legislations, Turkish Sign Language Science Council (TİDBO) was founded by the Turkish Language Association (TDK) in 2005. The organization was commissioned by the government for the preparation of a dictionary, a grammar book, and bilingual educational materials. However, TDK underwent some organizational changes, which protracted further steps to be taken. Scientifically informed actions came in 2015, when The Ministry of Family and Social Policies published a TİD grammar book prepared by an expert research team of three linguists, Bahtiyar Makaroğlu, Engin Arık and the deaf linguist Hasan Dikyuva. This book was based on a nation-wide corpus collected from 27 Provinces (about half of the provinces). Again sponsored by the ministry, Makaroğlu and Dikyuva published an online TİD dictionary in 2017 (tidsozluk.net), the only TİD dictionary based on lexicographic methodology.
TİD interpreting was first recognized in 2005, in the Supplementary Item 8 of Social Service Law (2828) that was added according to Article 30 of the 2005 Disability Law. In 2006, a regulation was published in the Official Gazette 26264 about the training and working principles of TİD interpreters. The interpreting education (certificate) programs have been far from sufficient in duration and scope. Accordingly, the regulation was reviewed in 2011 and 2012. In order to prevent the repercussions of inadequate interpreting certificates, Turkish Sign Language Science Council (TİDBO) conducted a ‘certificate approval exams’ in 2007, two exams in 2013, and finally in 2015. The number of interpreters who succeeded in the exams was 10% or less of the applicants.