Types of Malaysian sign

There are 3 types of sign language in Malaysia:
- Kuala Lumpur sign language (KLSL)
- Penang sing language (PSL)
- Malaysian Sign Language or Kod Tangan Bahasa Malaysia (KTBM)

  • Kuala Lumpur Sign Language (KLSL) It was originally based on American Sign Language (ASL) but has diverged significantly enough to now be considered a language in its own right. It is used mainly in the state of Selangor.
  • Malaysian Sign Language, (also known as Bahasa Malaysia Kod Tangan (KTBM)) which is the only form of sign language being developed and recognized by the government in Malaysia as the language of communication for the Deaf. It is adapted from American Sign Language, with the addition of some local signs, and grammatical signs representing suffixation of nouns and verbs that used in Malay language.
  • Penang Sign Language (PSL), was developed in Malaysia by deaf children, outside the classroom, when oralism was predominant. It is now mainly used by older people, although many younger people can understand it.