Changing the Face of Sign Language Bible Translation

There are 70 million Deaf people in the world, and only 2% have encountered Jesus in a language and format they clearly understand — their own unique sign language. Their lives are rooted in a distinct culture, sense of identity, and language, with more than 380 known sign languages in use. Yet, the only complete Bible in sign language is the American Sign Language Version. This means millions of Deaf people around the world are without God’s Word.

Sign language is a visual language, different from any spoken language. God desires to communicate His love for His people in the language that best captures their hearts; and for Deaf communities around the world, that requires Scripture that is presented naturally, clearly, and visually.

A Visual Language: Needs a Visual Bible

A visual Bible looks different from printed Scripture. Typically, a sign language Bible video is developed by recording a Deaf translator's face, hands, body movements, and expressions—all part of natural sign language. This then brings the gospel to life!

When you read the Bible, you’re reading the Word of God that has been passed down from generation to generation. You might get a sense of the personality of the various authors of the biblical text (think Solomon or Paul), but you as the reader wouldn’t typically connect personally with the author.

That’s not the case for those engaging with the sign language Bible. When you see an individual signing the Word of God, you begin to associate the message with that individual. This can be detrimental to Scripture engagement, as the signer becomes the focus rather than the gospel message they are sharing.

Not only that, but in many areas of the world, when the identity of the translator on camera is revealed, they risk arrest, criticism, rejection, or the termination of the entire translation project.

So what’s to be done? If sign language must be visual, how can we address these challenges?

Watch the short video at this site to find out… https://wycliffe.org/chameleon