Wycliffe SA has partnered with Hands With Words (HWW) who have been busy creating a visual Bible Translation for the Deaf. Recently, the decision was made by the government to include South African Sign Language as an official language. Ansie van der Merwe reached out to HWW to find out how the Deaf community view their identity and how this has been impacted by these developments.

Shirley O’Hare and Agnes Kunene shared their reflections on what it means to be Deaf, and what they wished hearing people knew. “I wish that people would stop saying “deaf and mute”. They need to understand it’s a language. We have a language. It’s not “deaf and dumb” or “deaf and mute”, because that says there’s no language”, Shirley shared. Agnes explained that when written down the term “Deaf” must have a capital “D” because the capital “D” includes Deaf identity and culture. She added that “often when you say “I’m Deaf”, people say “oh I’m sorry!” But you don’t have to be sorry because it’s nothing to be shy about. It’s to understand and to accept that Deaf people are like anyone else, they just use Sign Language to communicate.”

“The first time when we started translating, something I identified to myself was when God spoke to Moses and he said, "who makes people deaf and who makes them hear?" Before it was like I didn’t know that I was made by him. You know God made everyone perfect and then I would think "but I’m Deaf". I realised that no - God made Deaf people as well, and it made me feel I can accept my Deaf identity.” - Agnes Kunene

They told us about the challenges Deaf people face from childhood – when their hearing families can’t communicate with them, they become isolated and lonely. Often, it is through joining a Deaf school and meeting others in the Deaf community that they are finally able to establish relationships and gain a sense of identity and belonging. This continues into adulthood, with Deaf people preferring to share their lives with other Deaf people as lack of understanding and negative stereotypes often hamper communication with their hearing family.

The two ladies expressed how delighted they are that their language is finally being recognised as an official language of SA. Agnes said, “people would look at us signing and think that it’s just gesturing, but now because it’s an official language it shows that it is a true language.” Shirley shared her hope that this recognition will result in better access for Deaf people in schools, hospitals, businesses and politics.

When asked about how the visual Bible for the Deaf has been received, the ladies told of the excitement, interest and growth they’ve seen as a result. Agnes shared that “they’ll always say, “wow I never thought of it this way!” You get goosebumps when you see it in your own language. Many Deaf people’s hearts have been touched because they now suddenly have so many questions that they never had before. So it aids true understanding of the Bible.”

We are grateful for our partnership with HWW and look forward to sharing more information and stories as we continue to work together.