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Unanswered questions...

Have you ever had an unanswered question while reading the Bible? Where did you go for answers?

We, as hearing people, have multiple sources we can go to if we want additional information ... so do hearing translators.

The Deaf have NO WHERE to go - no biblical resources in their "heart" language, sign language.

This year at D.O.O.R. International's center in Kenya, there is a Deaf translation team from India and Kenya producing Translator's Notes/Commentary (commonly known as TNs, or the Deaf sign them as "deep").

"The "deep" for Deaf are like what Translation's Workplace (TW) is to the hearing people. Deaf people need it. Hearing people refer to TW and other resource material all the time. It is part of their research. It makes them understand the Bible more. The "deep" will be our TW."

"Hearing people get information from many sources, they listen to radio and discussions. We Deaf people rely on our eyes. If we have a DVD, with Bible stories, complete with points (lesson plans) and clear explanations, it can touch many Deaf people's heart. A lot of Deaf people can receive Jesus if they understand the Bible."

This translation tool is aimed at helping make translation more productive, faster and enjoyable. 

Some comments from DOOR Deaf Bible translators who are using the  "deep" (Translator's Notes):

Kenya - "Our experience when using ‘deep' is that we can spend less time on a story.  ‘Deep' are time saving because a lot of research has already gone into developing them. There will be uniformity of explanation -- maybe the signs will be different, but the message in the Bible will be the same for all the teams."

Kerala, India - "In the story of the flood I had much confusion about the length of Noah's Ark. After seeing the explanation of Noah's Ark in the ‘deep,' I understood clearly (Ark = 1-1/2 football field). ‘Deep' come in and try to explain literal meanings in a deaf way.

Burundi - "If ‘deep' were available, it would be much easier for Deaf people to study the translated Deaf Bible because they can refer to them. Deaf people just see a story and have a question, but they do not have anyone they can ask; they feel de-motivated, their enthusiasm diminishes if there is no one to explain or to give supporting information."

Ethiopia - "There are some phrases that are very difficult to understand because they have a hidden meaning. For example in our first draft we signed, "God made a man through his image" which was signed as "copy," but looking at the KSL (Kenya Sign Language) translation team work on the verse, we realized they have added additional information so that the verse does not just mean physical likeness. God made a man with a character like that of his own ... with feelings, virtues, conscience, love, responsibilities and care. Therefore, when we signed in our lesson plans that God expects us to love and to care, it makes a lot of sense. ‘Deep' helped KSL translate this verse, and it helped us too.

Ghana - "'Deep' would make us make fewer translation mistakes. It can be an important aid to the translation."

Uganda - "Without ‘deep,' we can use up to 3 days to craft one story. When ‘deep' are complete, I am foreseeing us reducing that time considerably. We could do a story that takes 3 days in 1-1/2 days."

Tanzania - "Translating a story is not as hard as drawing lessons plans. Lesson plans have to come from our mind, we need someone we can ask or to refer to something with detailed information."

DOES IT TAKE A LOT OF TIME? Yes!

DOES IT TAKE A LOT OF MONEY? Yes!

IS IT A LOT OF WORK? Yes!

IS IT WORTH IT? Yes!

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations (including the Deaf), AND THEN THE END WILL COME." Matt 24:1

PRAYER:

If  the Holy Spirit moves you to help support this God-sized task in prayer or with your finances, please let us know. We thank you in advance!