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ThaiSignLanguage is a DeafSignLanguage of Thailand. SIL code: TSQ. ISO 639-2: sgn. Population: 51,000 profoundly, prelingually deaf people in Thailand (1997 Charles B. Reilly). 20% of deaf children go to school, where they get the opportunity to learn this language. Region: Major regional centers and Bangkok. Comments: The first deaf school was established in 1951, with influence from Gallaudet University in the USA. It uses a combination of indigneous signs and ASL. Before 1950 Chiangmai and Bangkok had their own separate but related sign languages, and probably other 'urban' areas had their own sign languages, related to present sign languages in parts of Laos and Vietnam, including Haiphong. The signs used at the deaf school at Tak are reported to be very different. Bilingualism in Central Thai. All deaf born since 1951, and some older ones. Total communication used in school: speaking and signing. Reported to be high mobility among most deaf people today. The sign language used in the classroom and that by deaf adults outside is different. There is a manual system for spelling. Dictionary. Literacy rate in second language: Fewer than 10%. Educated deaf people have some Thai literacy skills, but limited. TV. Buddhist.(extract from http://www.ethnologue.com/)
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