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Deaf bibles?

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by rbell, Jul 23, 2010.

  1. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Forgive the ignorance. I'm not familiar with deaf culture, needs, etc...yet.

    In our first service, we have 15-20 deaf folks who come. We have an interpreter (25+years experience...he's fantastic). We average 1-2 deaf folks per month with little or no church exposure...so it's a pretty significant outreach (we're the only church in a 20-mile radius to my knowledge to offer translation).

    For those of you involved with deaf folk, and/or deaf ministries...

    • Is there a Bible version that would be the best to serve them during the service? (our pastor normally uses NIV, and that's in the pew...the deaf translation, of course, is ASL).
    • Is there an "accepted" version that seems to be the norm with ASL-speaking folks?
    I may not be asking this correctly. Forgive me if that's the case. This is new ground for me.

    (And yes...I know one route I should go is to ask our interpreter. I will...we just don't see each other much on Sunday's, but I will ask him.)

    Please, guys...if you want to make this a versions debate....don't. Mods, if it goes there, kill the thread. Thanks!
     
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I know at our church, I've seen the English Version for the Deaf quite a bit. We have a whole deaf church and that seems to be the version that they use. They COULD use a regular version but for those who have been deaf from birth and who never learned "English", regular Bibles can be quite difficult since the grammar is quite different.
     
  3. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    annsni is right - the grammar is slightly different. I didn't know that myself until several years ago when I first got on the BB. Helen (remember her?) - she told some of us.

    Anyone - here is a translation for the deaf from Amazon.com.

    It has a sneak peek so that you can read Genesis 1 for yourself.

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/0801043034/?tag=baptis04-20

     
  4. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Thanks a bunch! WIll check out the link in a bit...
     
  5. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I really, REALLY like the NIRV. I bought three cases for our deaf church and it has been a blessing to see our deaf folks really, REALLY get into reading God's Word for themselves. I'd really, REALLY recommend that version. I mean, REALLY!

    Seriously now, several of our deaf folks who have college degrees struggle with even the NIV, but they love the NIRV. The great thing about the NIRV is it does not use long sentences. Deaf people generally do not like to read and most Bible versions are a foreign language to them- they lose the train of thought just trying to assimilate the strange words.

    The EVD is good also, but I think the NIRV is more colloquial for the deaf- that's just my opinion based upon my personal experience as a pastor to the deaf.

    I use the ESV, the NKJV, and the NIRV in my messages.
     
  6. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I can see that the NIRV would be excellent for the deaf too. It's a very simple to read version - one that's great for children as well.

    Mexdeaf - Are you completely deaf? Do you preach in sign? Just wondering. :)

    I'm going to have two deaf women working with me in the refreshment department this week for VBS. Last year we had another woman who knew ASL but this year I'm on my own. I know a little bit but this should be interesting!!!!!
     
  7. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Ann,

    I was born hearing but lost it when I was 5- high fever. I grew up "hearing" though because I can hear with a very high-powered hearing aid- without it I am stone deaf. I got involved with ASL and married into the Deaf culture as my wife is deaf from birth.

    Yes, I do preach in ASL- as well as in LSM when I preach in Mexico.

    Deaf people by and large are the sweetest. You will have a blast. A smile is the best way to communicate with the deaf!
     
  8. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    We've spoken about it before, but I just wanted to say that I fully agree with you about the usefulness of the NIrV. It is the primary English translation I give to Koreans. (I have also given Korean Bibles to Koreans too !)
     
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