An Inspired Gift for the Deaf

Few events are as thrilling for one of Jehovah’s Witnesses as the release of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in his mother tongue. It is not uncommon for our brothers and sisters to be moved to tears of gratitude for this precious gift.

Yet, the release of the New World Translation in a sign language is often extra special. Why? In many cases, the New World Translation is the first complete Bible or the first portion of the Christian Greek Scriptures ever made available in that sign language. In addition, many people who have been deaf all their life find it difficult to understand the meaning of written text based on a spoken language. A sign-language Bible bridges that gap and helps deaf people connect emotionally with God’s inspired Word.

Twenty years ago, we released the book of Matthew in American Sign Language. Since then, the New World Translation, in whole or in part, has been made available in over 30 additional sign languages, with 11 more to come.

What has enabled us to accelerate Bible translation into these languages? How are we saving donated funds while doing so? And how have these new translations been received by Jehovah’s Witnesses and others?

Streamlined Translation

In the early days of sign-language translation, a lot of time and money were spent producing each publication. Often, a technician from a branch office would fly to the translation branch to record the translation, bringing along video equipment. After the technician returned home, the footage was edited and sent by mail back to the translation branch.

The translation team would review the recording and send any needed corrections to the editing branch. A revised video was then prepared and returned to the translation branch for further review. This process was repeated until no more corrections were needed. The video was then finalized and sent for duplication.

At that time, we hired outside companies to duplicate the recordings on videocassettes and DVDs. The work of duplicating and shipping these video recordings was time-consuming and expensive, although we never charged money for the videos. Because of the costs involved, translation of the Bible was generally approved only for the most common sign languages that were used by hundreds of deaf publishers.

However, times have changed. Technology has improved, and the equipment needed to record a sign-language video has become more affordable. Therefore, many translators, sometimes with the aid of a good-quality cell phone, can now record high-quality videos right in their own home! Video editing has also been simplified. Currently, a single team of brothers and sisters who specialize in video editing can perform this work for several different branches. And instead of sending these recordings through the mail, editing and translation teams can send the videos electronically.

As a result, videos can often be edited and published using fewer people and within only a couple of days after the recording. And rather than produce physical recordings on videocassettes or DVDs, we can publish quickly and inexpensively on jw.org and in the JW Library app.

All these adjustments have enabled us to publish the New World Translation even in sign languages that are used by relatively few people. For example, we have translated the Bible, in whole or in part, into more than 15 sign languages that are each used by an estimated 100,000 or fewer deaf people. Bobby, who works with Translation Services at world headquarters, says: “The growing number of sign-language Bible translations shows that the Bible’s message is for everyone. These translations have removed barriers and reflect genuine love and respect for the deaf community.”

Providing Tools and Training

Translating the Bible is an immense project. Before a translation team begins, an experienced sign-language Bible translator from another team visits to provide training. The team is trained to make the translation both accurate and easy to understand. They also learn how to do research and submit questions to world headquarters when certain verses are difficult to translate. The team is also taught how to conduct a review of the translation with a panel of deaf people who use the target sign language. This panel helps the team determine whether the translation will be widely understood.

Of course, the team also needs recording equipment. The costs of a camera, necessary lighting, and a computer can total more than $2,000 (U.S.). Donations to the worldwide work make it possible to simplify the translation and production process, provide specialized training, and supply recording equipment to translation teams around the world.

“Your Work Is Done With Love”

Deaf brothers and sisters have been profoundly affected by having the New World Translation in their own language. Hyun-ji, for example, felt that the printed Korean Bible was written in “a foreign language.” She says: “It seemed as though everyone else understood the Bible well, while I was unable to grasp its meaning. That made me feel inadequate.”

When the complete New World Translation was released in Korean Sign Language, Hyun-ji was overwhelmed with gratitude. She relates: “I realized that I would finally be able to get to know Jehovah on my own, without the assistance of others. I feel as though I used to walk only while holding onto someone else’s hand, but now, for the first time, I can let go and walk freely by myself.”

Many deaf publishers have found that the New World Translation has motivated them to teach others. For example, Tshepo, a deaf brother in South Africa, explains: “Now when I understand a scripture and it touches my heart, I can share it with another deaf person and tell him what I have learned. I want him to have the same reaction that I had when I understood the verse!”

Jossefa, who lives in Mozambique, feels that the Bible in Mozambican Sign Language has simplified his teaching. He says: “I often confused my students when I used a Bible in another sign language. I needed to use many examples and even drawings to explain just one Scriptural point. Now I just show them the scriptures in the language of their heart, and they understand clearly.”

Even non-Witnesses have praised the New World Translation. After the Bible’s release in Argentinean Sign Language, a city official in Argentina stated: “You are taking care of people who really need to learn about and access material that would otherwise be inaccessible. If people had to pay for this Bible, it wouldn’t come out this way. But your work is done with love.”

Your donations, including those made via donate.jw.org, are helping us produce and distribute these sign-language translations of the Bible. Thank you for your generosity.