The prestige and recognition of a sign language by a state or other institution, the signers of this language, and the ambient communities, all together characterize the status of a sign language. The policies and regulations about sign language is linked to the status of the language, that is, higher prestige means more extensive recognition in legislations and regulations. In addition, the attitudes of the Deaf and the hearing communities towards a sign language are connected to the status of that sign language.
This chapter is organized in three sections. First, the current legislation about Turkish Sign Language in Turkey, and about sign languages in the international treaties and agreements that Turkey is a signatory to are presented. In the second section, sign language policies, that is, the specific objectives put forward by state institutions and regulations are explicated. The last section outlines the language attitudes towards Turkish Sign Language in Turkey.