Translation of Legal Terms into FSL

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Translation of Legal Terms into FSL
Sign Language Interpreting and Access of the
Deaf to the Legal System College of Social Work
and Community Development University of the
Philippines Diliman, Quezon City July 27- 28,
2007

• Ms. Rowella B. Tanjusay
• Ms. Maricris Siloterio Galang
• Lingguwista
• Pagsasalin at Pagbuo ng Talatinigang Pambatas sa
  Wikang Senyas ng mga Binging Pilipino
• Philippine Deaf Resource Center through the
• National Commission for Culture and the Arts

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The internal structure of a sign in Filipino
Sign Language
Filipino Sign Language is the visual language
of the Deaf community (PFD, 2005 vii - ix).
Study of same level of structure in spoken
language and spatial language (phonological
parameters)
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Morphology - the study of morphemes, units of
structures which give meaning to a sign -
segments
Handshape, Location, Palm Orientation, Movement
and Non-Manual Signal under Phonology
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300 LEGAL TERMS (from actual legal cases
with legal consultants)
TRANSLATE TO SIGN LANGUAGE (discussed by the
Deaf Coordinators)
PILOT TESTING (Cavite and Metro
Manila)
VIDEO (documentation)
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During pilot testing, there were differences in
understanding and signing between Cavite and
Manila Deaf informants.
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• COURT
• SUPREME COURT
• REGIONAL COURT
• PROVINCIAL COURT
• MUNICIPAL COURT
• METROPOLITAN COURT
• COURT OF APPEALS
• CHIEF JUSTICE
• ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
• JUSTICE

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PROBLEMATIC SIGNS

• Noun, verb or adjective equivalent to same sign
• Alleged (adj) Court
• Accused (noun) Case
• Defendant
• Complain (verb)
• Complaint ( noun)

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• Technical and non-technical signs JUDGE
  (person verb)

• Borrowing from Manual Coded English signs
  (MCE) COURT, JUDGE, TRIAL

• Variant signs/ Old and Modern signs JUDGE
  RAPE

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Challenges of translating from a spoken / written
language to a visual language