Every 23 September, the world marks International Sign Language Day. This occasion serves as an important reminder of the rights to equality for the deaf community, including the right to access communication and their mother tongue. Sign language is not merely a collection of hand movements, but a rich, meaningful language that forms the cultural identity of millions of deaf people worldwide.
We often assume that deaf people can read and understand the Latin alphabet well. This assumption is, in fact, incorrect for the vast majority of deaf people. A small number of highly educated deaf people may be able to understand written text, but this is not the case for the vast majority of them.
Written text consists of phonetic symbols that are effective only for those who can hear; however, for deaf people who rely solely on visual cues, these phonetic symbols in written letters do not convey the message effectively. For our deaf friends, Sign Language—which is a visual language—is the language they understand best.
For Christians, the growth of faith is closely linked to the ability to read and reflect on the Bible. However, as explained earlier, reading written text is often a particular challenge for deaf people because the structure of sign language has a grammar and syntax that are very different from spoken language. A deep awareness of this spiritual need has driven a global movement spearheaded by the United Bible Societies (UBS), of which the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) is a permanent member.
The UBS is committed to facilitating the translation of the Bible into various sign languages around the world. The Sign Language Bible is designed not merely as a visual text, but is presented through high-resolution video recordings in which deaf translators convey God’s Word in a natural, visual and contextual manner. This approach ensures that God’s Word can be fully absorbed by the hearts and minds of the deaf community.
In Indonesia, this spirit is carried forward by the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI). As part of the UBS fellowship, LAI continues to strive to make the Sign Language Bible (BIS) available so that deaf friends in the country can encounter and be addressed by God through the language closest to their souls. This translation work requires a high degree of precision, the active involvement of a team of experts, and direct collaboration with the local deaf community.
Before commencing the translation of the complete Bible into Sign Language, LAI launched this pilot programme by translating ‘Bible Stories for the Whole Year’ (CAST)—a collection of Bible stories for children, complete with engaging illustrations—into Sign Language. The LAI team is now commencing the translation of the New Testament into Sign Language, starting with the Gospel of Luke.
Bringing the Sign Language Bible to fruition requires support from all of us. It is no coincidence that this September, the celebration of International Sign Language Day coincides with the celebration of Bible Prayer Month (BDA). The BDA celebrations provide an opportunity for the church and Christians in Indonesia to give thanks that the Bible is available in a language we can understand. God’s Word has become a source of comfort, inspiration and guidance for our daily lives.
At the same time, we are invited to remember the spiritual needs of our deaf Christian friends. They, too, hope that God’s Word will reach them in a language and medium that they understand and that is close to their hearts.
Let us support the efforts of the Indonesian Bible Society in making the Good News available in Sign Language through prayer, care and financial donations, so that the process of translating and producing the Sign Language Bible may continue to run smoothly.
Your support, dear friends of the Bible, whether personally or within your communities, plays a vital role in making the Bible available and accessible to everyone. This includes our deaf friends throughout Indonesia.
