Tibetan Sign Language
In today's world, Tibetan Sign Language is a topic that has become increasingly relevant. Both on a personal and professional level, Tibetan Sign Language has captured the attention of a large number of individuals and has generated debate in different sectors. Over time, opinions and perspectives on Tibetan Sign Language have evolved, resulting in a growing interest in fully understanding its importance and impact on society. In this article, we will explore in detail the various facets of Tibetan Sign Language, analyzing its impact in different contexts and offering a comprehensive vision that allows us to fully understand its relevance in today's world.
| Standard Tibetan Sign | |
|---|---|
| Native to | China |
| Region | Tibet, especially Lhasa |
Native speakers | 500 (2018)[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | lsn |
| Glottolog | tibe1277 |
Tibetan Sign Language is the recently established deaf sign language of Tibet.
Tibetan Sign is the first recognized sign language for a minority in China. The Tibetan Sign Language Project, staffed by members of the local deaf club, was set up under the supervision of Handicap International in 2001 to create a standardized language, based primarily on the existing sign language of Lhasa, as a replacement for the regional sign languages of Tibet.[2][3] For example, the deaf of Nagqu have a well developed vocabulary for livestock, while those of Lhasa have more specialized vocabulary for urban life.[3] The standard was announced by the Chinese government in 2004.
The Chinese government press agency Xinhua said that Chinese Sign Language was not practical because deaf Tibetans do not know Chinese characters, and that club members will introduce the new standard throughout Tibet.[4] A Tibetan manual alphabet was created by club members from the Tibetan alphabet without exposure to foreign forms of fingerspelling.[3]
References
- ^ Standard Tibetan Sign at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022)
- ^ Reynolds, Ian (10 Jul 2007). "Meeting Deaf Tibetans". Deaftravel.org. Archived from the original on Oct 6, 2013.
- ^ a b c Suo, Qiong; Sun, Wenzhen (2008). "Sign Language Benefits Tibetan Deaf-mutes". China Human Rights. Archived from the original on Oct 6, 2013.
- ^ "Sign language developed for Tibetan deaf". Phayul.com. 21 May 2004. Archived from the original on Oct 12, 2013.
Relevant literature
- Hofer, Theresia (2023). "Tibetan Writing from the Socio-linguistic Margins of Tibet: Deaf Students, Tibetan Literacy and WeChat at the Lhasa Special School. HIMALAYA 43(1): 42-70.
- The Tibetan Sign Language Project of the Tibetan Deaf Association (archived 2009)
