(Orlando, Florida, USA)—Wycliffe Associates, the international organization that mobilizes volunteers and resources in support of Bible translation efforts, is partnering with the international nonprofit, Deaf Opportunity OutReach International (DOOR), to assure the hundreds of unique sign languages in use worldwide have access to the Bible in video form.
More than 200 identified sign languages are in use worldwide, with some 70 million people worldwide communicating with sign language. In the same way a distinct people group develops its own spoken language, each sign language is unique, with its own syntax, grammar, and various subtleties. The percentage of Deaf in developing nations is much higher than those in other countries. Millions exist on the fringes of society, a culture within a culture, cut off from the local language.
Quoting Helen Keller, Wycliffe Associates President and CEO Bruce Smith points out that “being blind separates you from things, but being deaf separates you from people.” Smith adds, “We want to make sure that being deaf doesn’t separate you from God.”
Acutely attuned to visual communication, the Deaf share most, if not all, of the characteristics of oral learners. And just as literacy rates vary widely among spoken language groups, literacy rates vary widely among the Deaf, and very few sign languages are being used to teach the Scripture. Only speakers of American Sign Language have the New Testament in video form, while video recording of the Old Testament is in process. No other known sign languages of the world have the Bible in complete form, and the most effective way to give the Deaf an understanding of Scripture is through native signers.
Wycliffe Associates has partnered with DOOR, which uses an approach called “Chronological Bible Storying” to teach the Scriptures. Storytelling matches the rhythms and words of everyday living, enabling signers to more quickly understand and record Bible stories. The core of the curriculum consists of 170 biblical stories, which Deaf Christians learn to use for conducting Bible studies, worship services, children’s classes, camp programs, leadership training, and other activities.
DOOR’s chronological Bible stories are being recorded in specially designed studios built by Wycliffe Associates volunteers. A team of Wycliffe Associates construction volunteers has completed the remodeling of a building in San Jose, Costa Rica for use as a studio. Two more studios are planned for Latin America, with as many as 10 similar studios to be built in the future.
In addition, Wycliffe Associates has worked closely with DOOR since early 2009 on the construction of DOOR’s international headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Teams of Wycliffe Associates work alongside members of the Deaf community in the building process. “When a hearing Bible study spontaneously developed during lunch and break times, the Deaf workers decided to start a Bible study as well,” says Smith. “This is just one reflection of how Deaf communities need Scripture just the same as hearing communities.”
Currently Wycliffe Associates is seeking a volunteer with construction supervision experience to take up the responsibilities of construction superintendent and see the project to completion through the end of 2011.
Wycliffe Associates contributes more than 560,000 volunteer hours of work per year to help Bible translation efforts. During 2009, some 4,347 Wycliffe Associates volunteers served as part of the worldwide Bible translation team. Wycliffe Associates has served in over 54 countries through volunteer and financial support. This year, Wycliffe Associates plans to mobilize more than 5,600 volunteers to serve in 63 different countries to build and renovate facilities, construct roads and airstrips, teach Vacation Bible School, help with language development and office work, oversee projects, use their computer skills, and much more. For more information, visit www.wycliffeassociates.org or call 1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673).
###
11450 Translation Way
P.O. Box 620143
Orlando, FL 32862
1-407-852-3800
Email:
1-800-843-9673
Be among the first to receive the latest news from the world of Bible Translation.
eCommunications by Email
