Thai Sign Language
PrintA language of Thailand
ISO 639-3
Population
51,000 profoundly, prelingually deaf people in Thailand (1997 C. Reilly). 20% of deaf children go to school to learn it.
Location
Major regional centers and Bangkok.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Dialects
Signs used at the deaf school at Tak are reportedly very different.
Language Use
Total communication used in school: speaking and signing. Reported high mobility among most deaf people today. Sign language used in school and that used by deaf adults outside is different. Manual for spelling. All deaf born since 1951; some older ones.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Less than 10%. The 1st deaf school began in 1951, with help from Gallaudet University. Uses a combination of indigenous signs and American Sign Language [ase]. Educated deaf people have limited Thai literacy skills. Taught in primary schools. TV. Dictionary.
Buddhist.