Presenter Information

Grace Tang, Liberty UniversityFollow

Category

Poster - Theoretical Proposal

Description

Throughout history, many well-meaning hearing individuals have felt a call to bring the gospel to the Deaf community. However, this intention has often been carried out through poorly interpreted services with underqualified interpreters that do not understand Deaf culture and perspectives on theology. Christianity contains complicated language and concepts that many individuals struggle to express in American Sign Language (ASL) in ways that resonate with the Deaf community. Accessibility for the Deaf extends far beyond the translation of words into signs, requiring recontextualization to fit a Deaf lens and adaptation of communication methods to match the oral tradition and Deaf culture. This proposed qualitative study evaluates how the hearing-centered language, symbols, and culture of the Bible can be effectively portrayed to Deaf audiences. This theoretical research is conducted through comprehensive interviews with three Deaf Christian pastors and three hearing Christian interpreters. The speculative themes from these interviews include understanding and explaining the Biblical cultural background and context, avoiding literal translations, selecting Deaf-centric vocabulary to explain listening and expressing, and presenting Biblical narratives in the ASL story format. This research is relevant for Christian interpreters and Deaf ministry workers to improve their expression of religious content in American Sign Language with greater clarity and connection to Deaf audiences.

Comments

Undergraduate

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Apr 16th, 1:00 PM

Deaf-centric Expression of Biblical Language, Symbols, and Culture

Poster - Theoretical Proposal

Throughout history, many well-meaning hearing individuals have felt a call to bring the gospel to the Deaf community. However, this intention has often been carried out through poorly interpreted services with underqualified interpreters that do not understand Deaf culture and perspectives on theology. Christianity contains complicated language and concepts that many individuals struggle to express in American Sign Language (ASL) in ways that resonate with the Deaf community. Accessibility for the Deaf extends far beyond the translation of words into signs, requiring recontextualization to fit a Deaf lens and adaptation of communication methods to match the oral tradition and Deaf culture. This proposed qualitative study evaluates how the hearing-centered language, symbols, and culture of the Bible can be effectively portrayed to Deaf audiences. This theoretical research is conducted through comprehensive interviews with three Deaf Christian pastors and three hearing Christian interpreters. The speculative themes from these interviews include understanding and explaining the Biblical cultural background and context, avoiding literal translations, selecting Deaf-centric vocabulary to explain listening and expressing, and presenting Biblical narratives in the ASL story format. This research is relevant for Christian interpreters and Deaf ministry workers to improve their expression of religious content in American Sign Language with greater clarity and connection to Deaf audiences.

 

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