A shortage of sign language interpreters led deaf people in Malta to a silent protest outside the Italian Embassy in Floriana this evening.

George Vella, from the Deaf People Association, said that there were about 400 deaf people in Malta but the association only had one full-time interpreter at this point. Only about 100 people spoke sign language on the island.

He called on the government to officially recognise Maltese sign language as a legitimate language as that would encourage more inclusion and help with the interpreter shortage.

Around 20 deaf and hearing-impaired people took part in the protest, held outside the Italian embassy because Italy was refusing to recognise sign language as an official language.

The Italian government proposed changing "Italian sign language" to "language of mime and gestures" in the law and a final decision is expected today.

This has been deemed offensive by the international deaf community and protests were held at Italian embassies and consulates in Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and the US.

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