Deaf

Why the Deaf?

There are an estimated 70 million culturally Deaf people worldwide. They are overlooked as a people group, probably in part because they learn to adapt so well. They have no other choice. Technological advancements have greatly helped with communication, but they would much rather sign their heart language.

deaf or Deaf?

There is a difference between "deaf" and "Deaf." Lowercase deaf simply indicates a physical hearing loss. Uppercase Deaf indicates the involvement in the culture. By culturally Deaf, I mean that not only do they have a physical hearing loss but also they fully use sign language as their choice communication - they embrace being Deaf as a part of their identity.

RUMOR HAS IT

A common myth is that all Deaf people use the same sign language. Actually, there are an estimated 200-300 sign languages in the world. ASL (American Sign Language), most commonly used in the United States and Canada, was only officially recognized as a language in 1960. Deaf Americans have been fighting for rights for access to information in their own language. NGT (Dutch Sign Language) was finally recognized on October 13, 2020.

Another common myth is that ASL is simply "English on the hands." This couldn't be further from the truth. ASL has its own grammar, syntax, vocabulary, body language, etc., linguistic elements that identify a unique language. English is most Deaf American's second language, and many are not fluent.

GLOBAL DEAF

This same logic can be applied to anywhere with a different sign language. Dutch and NGT (Nederlandse Gebarentaal or Dutch Sign Language) are not equivalent languages, either. Estimated at 37,000 people, the Deaf Dutch population has very little to no access to the gospel in a way they can most clearly understand. Worldwide, less than 2% of Deaf people know Jesus as their Savior. It is agonizing to think of how hard it is for a Deaf Dutch person to understand the gospel - even who Jesus is - amidst a "crooked and perverse nation." It is urgent that we "shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15).