THAI SIGN LANGUAGE

Language: Thai Sign Language

Users: 680,000

Dates: 2015-2018

The Need: $279,500

Project Goal: Chronological Bible Stories

About 680,000 Deaf people living in Thailand use Thai Sign Language to communicate. They are scattered throughout the country, though many prefer to live in urban areas where it’s easier to find others who use the same language.

Culturally, Deaf people don’t view themselves as disabled but as members of a minority language group with its own unique identity. However, they face a great barrier when communicating with the surrounding culture and find it hard to get needed information.

The Deaf often feel frustrated, excluded and unimportant when efforts aren’t made to communicate with them in a language they understand.

Over 90 percent of Thai Sign Language users identify with the major religion of the area. There are few Deaf Christian leaders. Most Deaf fellowships are led by hearing individuals, so the Deaf are dependent on an interpreter to receive the message.

The Deaf in Thailand don’t have God’s Word in their language.

THE PLANTranslating a series of chronological Bible stories will introduce the Thai Deaf community to the overall message of God’s Word for the first time!

Sign languages are three-dimensional, so they can’t be represented well on paper. That’s why translations are presented in video format.

As the Scripture stories are translated, they are recorded and edited by the team. During the process, comprehension testing is done within the Deaf community. This provides important feedback on whether the translation communicates clearly and naturally. Stories are then checked by a translation consultant who specializes in sign languages, to make sure they’re biblically accurate.

Six of the 32 stories the team plans to translate are now approved for publication. They’re currently working on stories such as Samaritan Woman and The Last Supper.

As the Bible stories are completed, they are uploaded to mobile apps and websites — available for easy access!

“Many Deaf who have been exposed to community testing [of translated portions] are excited to have the Scriptures,” says a project advisor. People are eager for more.

Not only will these Scripture stories impact the Deaf who use Thai Sign Language, translators are hopeful that this translation may even meet the needs of all three sign languages in the country.

As the stories are produced, the team will assess how well two other sign language communities in Thailand understand them. Depending on their findings, these stories could potentially impact them or be used as a source for adaptation into those languages.

Deaf people are typically the last ones to receive any kind of news. Thai Sign Language is one of Thailand’s last Bibleless languages.

Your prayers and investment will help Thai Deaf people receive the Good News of Christ — in their own heart language!

THE IMPACTTHE PEOPLE

SOUTHEAST ASIA – THAILAND

FY16

-18/E

9016

9/9

978

33

wycliffe.org