Ban Khor Sign Language

A language of Thailand

ISO 639: bfk
Alternate Names: BKSL, Pasa Kidd
Population: 400 (Nonaka 2009), all users. Conservative estimate: 15%–25% of the village signs to some extent. L1 users: 16 deaf users, plus an unknown number of hearing L1 users.
Location:: Lampang province: Ban Khor village.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Sign language, Shared sign language
Dialects: None known. Not related to Thai Sign Language [tsq] or original sign languages of Thailand such as Chiangmai Sign Language [csd]. Other villages with high incidence of deafness are also reported in rural Thailand: Huay Hai, Plaa Pag, and Na Sai (Nonaka 2004).
Language Use: Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Nyaw [nyw], especially hearing individuals (Nonaka 2009). Many also use Thai Sign Language [tsq], especially deaf children, who learn it at residential deaf schools.
Other Comments: Originated in the 1930s (Nonaka 2009). Since 2000, deaf villagers have increasing contact with Thai Sign Language [tsq] and the national Deaf community, with frequent borrowing in all lexical domains and some code-switching. Hearing signers have less incentive to learn Thai Sign Language [tsq] and so are a conservative force slowing down the shift from Ban Khor Sign Language to Thai Sign Language [tsq] (Nonaka 2012).

Location: Lampang province: Ban Khor village.