Armenian Woman's Sign Language, also known as Caucasian Sign Language or Harsneren (Armenian: հարսներէն, "bride's language"), is an indigenous sign language of Armenia. It is not directly related to the sign languages of Europe, though it may have historical connections to monastic sign language. It developed under marriage speech taboos similar to those operating in Aboriginal Australia (see Australian Aboriginal sign languages), and is now defunct.[2]
The women in this late-eighteen-hundreds family cover their mouths, a taboo associated with speech taboos.
Under the strict patriarchal society then existing in Armenia, a newly married woman was not allowed to speak in the presence of her husband, in-laws and certain other people. She could make simple communication using Harsneren. A study of the language took place in Tavush Province in the 1930s.[3][2]
^a Sign-language names reflect the region of origin. Natural sign languages are not related to the spoken language used in the same region. For example, French Sign Language originated in France, but is not related to French. Conversely, ASL and BSL both originated in English-speaking countries but are not related to each other; ASL however is related to French Sign Language.
^b Denotes the number (if known) of languages within the family. No further information is given on these languages.