Is Lhasa Tibetan Sign Language emerging, endangered, or both?

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Anthropology
• Sociolinguistics

Background:

• Tibetan Sign Language (TibSL) is emerging in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
• Sign language endangerment is a global phenomenon.
• The UNESCO model for linguistic vitality is adapted for signed languages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide the first overview of TibSL's emergence and status.
• To assess the linguistic vitality and endangerment of TibSL.
• To discuss factors influencing TibSL's future.

Main Methods:

• Anthropological fieldwork in 2007 and 2014.
• Application of the adapted UNESCO linguistic vitality model.
• Analysis of TibSL's situation within broader minority language contexts in China.

Main Results:

• TibSL is assessed as "severely" to "definitely" endangered.
• The study contributes to the understanding of sign language endangerment.
• Potential future influences on TibSL's vitality were identified.

Conclusions:

• TibSL faces significant endangerment, highlighting the vulnerability of minority sign languages.
• The study suggests additions to existing assessment models for sign languages.
• TibSL's situation is contextualized within China's linguistic landscape and minority language policies.