By Olusegun Obisanya
The Bible Society of Nigeria [BSN] says it has completed the translation of additional 77 Chronological Bible Stories [CBS] in Nigerian Sign Language for the deaf.
The faith-based organisation said in a statement signed by the Manager, Media & Public Relations of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Benjamin Mordi that the feat was achieved in June 2022.
The statement read: “The Sign Language Bible, which is in video format and available on memory stick, is designed to meet the scriptural needs of the hearing impaired. The Bible stories, though expensive, are distributed free of charge to the deaf community.”
It added, “The first 77 Chronological Bible stories for the deaf were dedicated in 2014. 33 more stories were added in 2017, additional 35 in 2021 bringing the total number of CBS to 145. With the completion of additional 77 Bible stories, we now have 222 Chronological Bible Stories in the Nigerian Sign Language.
Translation work is ongoing as we are now set to commence the translation of the New Testament for the deaf.”
According to the organisation, about 10 percent of sign languages have access to the scripture globally.
“This makes the estimated 70 million people living with hearing impairment one of the largest unreached people groups on the globe,” BSN added
“In 2019, 11 sign languages used by about 2.8 million deaf people received portions of scripture. The Bible Society of Nigeria is committed to breaking any known barriers that make the word of God inaccessible to the people. The sighted, the blind and the deaf now have unhindered access to the word of God in Nigeria, to the glory of God.
