Why Bible Translation Matters: Step Into an Interactive Experience
Engage with people and visit places touched by Bible translation in our new desktop experience.
What if you could see, firsthand, how God is drawing people to Himself through Scripture in the languages and formats that deeply touch their hearts? Around the world today, there are nearly 7,400 spoken and signed languages.
Each language uniquely reflects the creativity of God, and each represents people He loves. Everyone deserves the chance to encounter Jesus personally in a language that resonates with them: a language they think in, dream in and pray in. Come with us on a journey around the world to witness how Scripture is shaping people’s faith, strengthening churches and changing communities.
This is the Bible Translation Experience — an interactive, online storytelling platform designed to help you see the “why” behind Bible translation and witness the impact for yourself.
One of the topics that you’ll get to engage with frequently in the Bible Translation Experience is the importance of sign language translation. Keep reading for a glimpse at some of the people you’ll meet and stories you’ll encounter!
Learn About the Final Frontier of Bible Translation
When many people think of the phrase “Bible translation,” they probably imagine words typed onto a computer screen or written in a notebook. But there’s a vast and often overlooked frontier in the world of Bible access: sign languages. And the need is far greater than most people realize.
Around the globe, there are as many as 70 million Deaf people, yet only 2% have ever been introduced to the gospel. That means millions of people still do not have access to Scripture in their very own sign language.
Sign languages are not universal, nor are they simply “visual versions” of spoken languages. Sign languages and written languages don’t share the same rules for grammar, structure or sequence. There are nearly 400 known sign languages in use around the world today. But did you know that currently only American Sign Language (ASL) has a complete Bible?
This is why the work of sign language translation matters so much — and why we want you to be able to explore all about it virtually through the Bible Translation Experience.
Why Sign Languages Need Their Own Bible Translations
One of the most common questions about sign language Bible translation that people ask is: “Why can’t Deaf communities simply read a written Bible?” Written words alone do not convey the full meaning and nuance that sign language does. A person using sign language communicates with every part of their body, including hands, facial expressions, posture and body movement.
So a visual language needs a visual Bible. For Deaf individuals, a visual Bible removes the barrier of having to interpret a second language (written text) that’s also in a different format than their preferred language (sign language).
When Scripture is translated into sign language, Deaf people have direct access to God’s Word in both a language (sign language) and format (video) that resonate with their hearts. Many parts of the Bible, like parables and miracles, are naturally visual stories.
Bible translation is also necessary for Deaf communities because sign languages arrange the details of a story or narrative in a different order than spoken or written languages. Because they’re so visual, sign languages set the scene before telling a story.
A great example of this is Jesus feeding the 5,000 from Mark 6:30-44. The Scripture doesn’t tell us how many people were in the crowd until the end. But a depiction of this story in sign language would set the scene by describing the crowd first.
These differences matter, and they shape how Deaf communities receive and understand Scripture.
Translating Bible stories into sign language is no easy feat. But the rewards are eternally valuable! As Pastraporn Sarakong, a Deaf translation leader in Thailand, shared, “My goal for the Scripture translation is to spread the Good News so that Deaf people don’t have to rely on the written word but can have it in their heart language.”
When Deaf people finally see God’s Word expressed in a language and format they use every day, something transformative happens: Scripture becomes personal.
Why the Bible Translation Experience Matters
One of the most meaningful ways to learn about global missions — whether as part of a family, church or small group — is by discovering how the Bible reaches people in communities and through languages that differ from our own.
This is where the Bible Translation Experience can be a powerful tool, educating and inspiring the people in your life!
The platform is designed as an immersive, story-rich way for groups to journey together into real-life accounts of faith and transformation. Not only does it help people clearly understand why Bible translation matters, but it also opens the door for deeper conversations.
Stories about sign language Bible translation and Deaf communities in the Bible Translation Experience can help:
- Kids and families understand the beauty of all languages. Parents can remind kids that God loves everyone around the world, no matter where they live or what language they use. And families can have deeper discussions about how to share God’s love with others.
- Small groups become inspired by the work that God is doing around the world. Individuals can advocate for Bible translation, sharing their excitement with family, friends, social media networks or their church. A small group can even be motivated to give together in community to a Bible translation project!
- Churches explore opportunities to be part of God’s global mission through Bible translation — whether that’s praying for Deaf communities, giving toward sign language translation projects or engaging more deeply with Bible translation globally.
These conversations and experiences in community with others plant seeds that God can use to transform lives through His Word.
A Chance to Step Into the Story Together
Having a sign language Bible creates a level playing field for everyone, where it’s possible for all hearts to fully receive God’s Word in a language they clearly understand. For God to capture His people’s hearts, Scripture must be presented to the Deaf naturally, clearly and visually — and in the language that they connect with. This is why Bible translation matters.
So whether you’re exploring the Bible Translation Experience with your kids, discussing missions in your small group or simply curious about God’s work around the world, this desktop platform offers a beautiful way to see firsthand how Scripture is changing lives — including among the world’s Deaf communities.
Don’t just read about the impact Bible translation has on people’s lives: Experience the impact for yourself, talk about it and celebrate it in community with the people around you!
Encounter Even More Stories of Hope
These stories are only the beginning. Through the Bible Translation Experience, you’ll meet people, families, pastors, translators and entire communities encountering the joy of God’s Word in a language that they clearly understand.
Come see what God is doing, and discover the joy of Scripture in every language!
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