JMR

I always enjoy watching the deaf vendors on Sukhumvit do their thing. The expressiveness of their faces and their fearlessness in dealing with foreigners.

I know that Thai Sign Language was originally based on American Sign Language, but also appreciate that time and custom shape languages. I took a year of ASL in college, and can generally have a superficial conversation with Americans. I am lost on the Thai.

Can those truly proficient in ASL communicate with Thai Sign Language speakers?

Expressed more formally, are ASL and TSL mutually intelligible?

NB: Yes, "ASL speaker" is the proper way of writing it ...

soarer

I was told that many of them were taught TSL and English at a Christian school set up to help them ,

I have not noticed them setting up shops in the Thai areas of town that I end up in.....

travelinterpreters

Mrs. Travelinterpreters and I have been freelance ASL interpreters for 17 years and also travel to Thailand often. The languages are about 98% different. Some things are totally opposite, like the ASl sign for Deaf is the TSL sign for hearing.

We have been to the Deaf school in Bangkok several times to talk with the kids about the United States, and we always have to use a Thai interpreter to carry on in depth conversations. My wife and I have learned enough TSL that the vendors on Suk all gather around to chat with us every time we go. The language might be different, but the Deaf community in Bangkok is very similar to ours here in the US.

Here is the website for the Deaf school if you are interested.http://translate.google.com/translat...ari%26rls%3Den Most of the kids live in dorms at the school from a very young age until they graduate.

JMR

Thank you and thanks to Soarer, as well. Very informative responses.

At least now I don't feel as bad about not being able to follow along.

A follow-up, if you don't mind: is TSL similar at all to Khmer Sign Language or Malay Sign Language or other countries in the region? Are there provicial variations, such as Southern Thai, Chiang Mai or Isaan (as is with the verbal language)? I lived in Arizona when I studied ASL and quickly learned that Mexican Sign Language was not the same.

As I am with those who can speak Thai, I am wicked with envy that you can sign enough TSL to get around!

travelinterpreters

Most Deaf Thais use TSL but there are slight variants in the different regions, it's not a big difference tho. It's similar to here in the US, we live in the Midwest and when I interpret for a Deaf person from NY they will totally understand me even if it is something really complicated like bypass surgery.

When you get outside of thailand, the language totally changes. The Thai and Malay would understand each other just on a superficial level with just some basic signs being similar. I hope that makes sense.

JMR

Makes perfect sense.

Deafchick

It's not the same except for a few signs. I saw a couple of them working at KFC in one of the malls and the cashier sign Deaf and I tried to sign my order in ASL. She saw I was Deaf by my hearing Aid and just pointed to the menu. That's how were able to communicate by pictures.

Some of the workers there were very surprised to see me a Deaf Black Woman and I can tell they talking about me to their friends.

tswestphal3

We are in the process of adopting our 11 year old daughter from Thailand and she uses TSL.

We are learning TSL, but don't have many resources. Any recommendations?

Am I correct in thinking that when she gets here we would teach her ASL instead of SEE because TSL and ASL use the same grammar format?

Thank you.

travelinterpreters

That's a tough question, and I doubt I can answer it in a forum post

Is she is a Deaf school in thailand now? If so, which one?

Where do you live in the states? Are you near a Deaf school, or are you planning on a mainstream school?

Do you, or anyone else in your family sign now? If not, the language she will learn will probably be dependent on where she goes to school. Being involved in the Deaf community will be a huge help in the new language acquisition.

You can send me a PM with your email and I can start pointing you to some resources.

Start learning ASL as quickly as you can! It is not an easy language to master.

kanokpornc

Hi,

I just accident saw your topic. I am from Thailand and was working at a company close to the Thai deaf school in Bangkok. Once I visit the school and learnt TSL but just only a few hours and never have a chance to go back the the school again.
Now, I am in Orlando, FL and I have been learning ASL by myself on youtube for a few months already. I enjoy and like to learn ASL very much. I would say you should let your adopted daughter learn ASL as well. Could she write or type Thai? That is very important and never forget it. In this country or generation, she need to know more than one language. I can help her keep up her Thai as well. Please let me know.

Good luck all.

Gene Bourquin

I've been a traveler to Thailand since 1991, and on my first trip there, in the first hours, I met Thai Deaf folks. Since, I've worked at a college for Deaf students and have done some socializing, attending lectures in TSL, etc. I am fluent in ASL and have two national interpreting certificates and a masters in deaf rehab. I speak Thai--poorly. I communicate with one Thai Deaf friend on FaceTime regularly.

My experience is different than others. TSL is not 98% different than ASL. The similarities in vocabulary for basic terms are remarkable and many signs the same or similar. The grammar is about 100% the same. I have attended classes taught in TSL and worked with TSL interpreters, and I can understand at least 50 to 70% of the signed utterances, I would guesstimate. (The sign for Deaf in TSL and ASL are nearly the same.)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mo1soxzwwe...07.26.png?dl=0

American missionaries got here first, and the legacy of ASL is strong. Of course, Thai culture is obvious throughout TSL, and so a basic understanding of society helps make the differences clear. The sign used by the street vendors in PatPong in BKK can be more difficult to understand than the sign used at university (where my experiences mostly happen) and there are serious regional and school differences in sign throughout the provinces.

Anyway, that's my experience for anyone still interested after several years. I hope the adoption went well and that your child is signing away in ASL --- once being with other Deaf people, that should have happened very quickly.

Luck to all. Gene