Modern Standard Thai Sign Language, Influence from ASL, and its Relationship to Original Thai Sign Varieties

Abstract

It is known that vocabulary from North American Sign Language (ASL) was introduced into Thailand in the 1950’s and that ASL vocabulary has influenced varieties of Modern Standard Thai Sign Language (MSTSL) used in urban areas. To date, however, no one has attempted a systematic study of the extent of this influence or of the relationship of MSTSL to sign language varieties existing in Thailand prior to ASL influence. This paper reports the results of using techniques of historical-comparative linguistics to determine (a) the extent to which ASL has influenced basic vocabulary in MSTSL; and (b) the relationship of MSTSL to sign language varieties used in Thailand prior to ASL influence. Comparisons were made of published vocabulary data and also of videotaped signing of younger Bangkok signers and of older signers from Bangkok and Chiangmai.