1. Let us look at the world Bible translation for sign languages Geoffrey Hunt

2. 2 apologies Firstly, that I, a hearing person, am leading this session. Secondly, because I suddenly found I needed to prepare this session, I wasn’t around yesterday to greet many of you when you arrived.

3. Some numbers … About 270 sign languages are known Number will probably rise above 400 Perhaps 50 have had translations started –Most started by hearing churches or groups Only 1 SL has a complete New Testament 3 hearing organizations: IMB, UBS, SIL (?YWAM) 1 hearing-led mainly Deaf organization: DOOR 2 Deaf-led organizations: CICBTSL & “PASTA” The 6

4. Why translate? These organizations divide into two groups: –IMB & DOOR aim to develop Deaf churches –UBS & SIL want Deaf Christians to have adequate Scriptures (UBS church driven, SIL need driven) They all start with Bible translation. Why? –Can never have a strong church without the Bible –Deaf churches 60 times more effective than hearing churches with interpretation. Now Deaf groups are beginning to take over leadership: CICBTSL and “PASTA”

5. Which approach to translation is most effective? Translating into sign languages is much slower –Need to give great understanding with little work DOOR & IMB use short chunks of Scripture: –The truth of the Scriptures is taught by stories, etc. –Stories have to be in the order in which they happened UBS & SIL use mixed approaches: short chunks & every verse Breakthrough in Kerala Breakthroughs in Central Europe

6. Now something about CICBTSL Committee of International Cooperation for Bible Translation in Sign Language –Chose their own name Their sign is much easier than the words Deaf Christians met in Nov 2008 in Costa Rica, helped by UBS. –Decided that Deaf people should give the lead –Chose Christian Ramirez as their leader. –Also supported financially by SIL –Training given by SIL

8. Then came “PASTA” Pacific & Asia Sign Language Translation Association With encouragement from SIL Asian Deaf met to decide what they should do. –Only called in a hearing person when needed –Decided it was their responsibility to provide Scriptures for Asia Deaf. –They included all countries: from Pakistan in the west to China in the east; from Mongolia in the north to New Zealand in the south. –Needed to find out how many languages, e.g. China

9. Where other partners work DOOR –mainly Africa (bringing Deaf teams to Nairobi for months at a time) and southern India (Kerala) IMB –mainly S.E. & E. Asia, with some work in S. Africa, S. America, Middle East and Central Europe. UBS –mainly Europe, Americas & Japan SIL –facilitating projects worldwide, language survey,

10. SL Global partners’ meetings About 2½ weeks ago the 6 plus a number of small American groups met to discuss the global challenges of translation into sign languages: –½ Deaf, ½ hearing; priority given to Deaf participants Some challenges (as listed by Mark Sauter): –Better communication between different organizations –Empowering Deaf Christians –Funding

11. Useful comments –Deaf groups mostly use memory rather than writing. –Signed Scripture is true Scripture –Need Deaf translation consultants –Translation acceptance by authoritative Deaf person –Unintended interference from hearing when filming –Using sign roots makes a translation more useful –Problems with filming, e.g. lights, clothing, hair –Clear, accurate, natural & acceptable translations –Hearing people have money, Deaf don’t – partnership –Storyboarding is a useful approach to translating –WFD believe 35 million people are culturally Deaf.

12. Deaf in this part of the world What should Deaf from this part of the world be doing?