Pattern of the Definition Suitable for the Translation to Thai Sign Language: the Case of Assistive Technology Terminology¹

Paruhut Suphajanya², Ras Boonya³
Kan Arthayukti⁴, Sasithorn Supwattanapaisan⁵, Soithong Yoksuriyan⁶
and Pornpun Somboon^7*

²paruthas.sup@mahidol.ac.th , ³ras.boo@mahidol.ac.th , ⁴kan.art@mahidol.ac.th
⁵sasithorn.sup@mahidol.ac.th , ⁶soithong.yok@mahidol.ac.th , ^7*spornpun@hotmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative research was to study the problems arising from the translation of assistive technology terminologies' definition from written language to Thai sign language and to develop the definition of assistive technology terminology suitable for the translation to Thai sign language.

Method included the observation and the analysis of 103 assistive technology terminologies definition in written language and the translation to Thai sign language, revised written patterns and revised sign language in order to make written language of assistive technology terminologies definition suitable for Thai sign language translation.

The results showed that the problems of translation from written language of assistive technology terminologies definition to Thai sign language were 1) the definition of written language had no exact pattern 2) the definition of written language had unclear content 3) the definition of written language resulted in unnatural sign language. To solve such problems, researchers had developed 5 patterns of definition which were suitable for translation to Thai sign language, consisting of 1) basic pattern (RS) 2) repeat 1 pattern (RS1) 3) repeat 2 pattern (RS2) 4) repeat 4 pattern (RS4) and 5) mixed pattern (RS Mix). The report's findings will be useful for applications in written definition on other subjects

Keywords:pattern of definition, Thai sign language translation, assistive technology

¹part of research project: "Thai Sign Language Multimedia Terminology in Assistive Technology"

^* Corresponding Author