Globalization changed the world, but it also had both positive and negative impacts on the deaf community in Thailand. This post will dive deeper into the Thai deaf community and learn more about the impact of a globalizing world, specifically on technology and communication.

The Recognition of Thai Sign Language

Thailand has an official sign language (TSL), established in 1999. Even before that, when deaf schools opened in 1950, Khunying Kamala Krairuek, a graduate of Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, developed the fingerspelling system. It was a form of spoken Thai in handle signal form. It was the mode of instruction in deaf schools. 

The Thai Deaf Community

The population of the Thai deaf community is over 300,000 as of 2018. Most of the deaf people are in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. There are active deaf associations in the cities that bring people together. Thai deaf people still live separate lives from the hearing. But in a cultural sense, there are similarities to the hearing community but the language sets them apart.

For children growing up deaf in hearing families, economic status determines their future. Some families cannot afford the technology or schooling catered towards deaf people. It’s a disadvantage for deaf children because they can lose a sense of belonging without people who are like them. In addition to that, these children may never learn sign language. Therefore, they lack strong communication skills that could improve their lives.

The Basis of Globalization

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-with-toy-airplane-on-world-map-3769138/

Globalization is the connectedness of the world through cultural and economic interaction. It began around the 18th century when transportation and technology gradually advanced. The economy developed at an accelerating rate, and with that came a steady flow of trading and foreign investment. 

Globalization: Southeast Asia Edition

Thailand has benefitted tremendously from and advancing world and free trade. It’s helped create jobs, innovation with technology, skilled labor, tourism, and education. However, it will take a lot for them to keep up with the fast-paced changes. Challenges are still present with the government and economic regulations or old beliefs that can halt a prosperous future for the country

Still, Thailand is increasingly adopting Western ideals with cuisine, culture, and economic practices. Yet, this is all happening while they put effort into maintaining traditional Thai culture and instilling those values from one generation to the next. How does this pan out for the minority communities?

The Impact on Deaf People

Globalization moves goods, transportation, people, and languages. Globalization spreads dominant languages like Arabic, Chinese, French, English, Spanish, and Russian. For the most part, you can use one of these languages to get by. 

On the flip side, globalization doesn’t fully recognize the minority languages of the world. For deaf people, this is the narrative and has been for a long time. Linguists are late to the game, and information is scarce. It is concerning because languages are a gateway to understanding cultures. However, books and articles by prominent sociologists and linguistics in academia rarely mention sign languages. The reason for this, as Anja Hiddinga and Onno Crasborn state in their article, Language in Society Sign language is a relatively new form of language to the hearing community.

Deaf Education

TSL still doesn’t have much of a presence in mainstream schooling, because of the preference for the Thai language. Deaf kids can attend residential schools at the general education level, deaf schools are located in places like Chaiyaphum and Khon Khaen. These schools have instruction in TSL, English, and ASL. Students at the School for the Deaf in Khon Khaen learn in a hands-on environment. It facilitates growth with a strong emphasis on sign language. In addition, they attend Thai cultural classes and learn vocational trade skills.

Around half of the students graduate and some attend a university like Mahidol, which is the only school that offers a deaf education program Mahidol also helps train more TSL teachers which has an impact on deaf education. Later, they use their skills for the service industry, notably in large cities, where tourism plays a role economically. 

International Tourism and Job Opportunities

While these deaf schools at the primary and secondary levels have a good attendance rate. The reality is that the schools are focusing more on teaching manual labor rather than knowledge-based. The Thai Enquirer mentions in their article that this doesn’t help deaf young adults enter careers that require critical or analytical thinking. There are reports from 2018 by the Thai Enquirer that undergrad education rates among the deaf community decreased dramatically to 0.26%, a concerning rate for the evolving future. 

Therefore, even if tourism is a booming industry that provides jobs, it doesn’t give the deaf community much upward mobility. 

Initiatives to Connect the Deaf Community

The deaf world is becoming increasingly smaller with more cross-cultural connections. So, the question posed is how deaf people navigate cross-cultural barriers to communication. It creates a big divide between the hearing and the deaf community. However, international programs and activities have made a positive contribution to deaf communities across the globe. 

It is happening internally in Thailand with the establishment of organizations geared towards alleviating issues facing deaf Thai people, like lack of employment and educational opportunities. The World Federation of the Deaf was established in 1951 in Rome but has spread to many countries, including Thailand. Its last conference, in 2021, played a pivotal role in the Thai deaf community and brought people from all over. 

The invention of smartphones is a technological revolution thanks to globalization. Technology plays a role in delivering sign language to the education system through modes like YouTube and phone apps. It connects our world and improves communication. In Thailand, there are two apps specifically for deaf people. WellSign is a cloud-based app developed by volunteers to learn TSL anytime you want. Another app with similar functions is the Thai SL App, which helps deaf people communicate with the hearing community. 

Photo by Olivier Darny: https://www.pexels.com/photo/wat-arun-temple-in-bangkok-17746130/

In conclusion, globalization has had a mixed impact on the deaf community in Thailand. It has expanded opportunities for education, employment, and cultural exchange, but it also poses challenges related to cultural preservation and economic disparities. To mitigate these effects and enhance the positive ones, the Thai government and relevant organizations should promote the use and preservation of TSL, support inclusive education and employment practices, and foster a sense of belonging within the global Deaf community.

Check out more articles on the implications of this evolving world on the deaf community at https://www.unspokenasl.com/

Photo Credit to: Photo by Olivier Darny