Translation is not always a matter of writing down words. Kenyan Deaf artists with DOOR (Deaf Opportunity OutReach) are involved in drawing storyboards for signed scriptures in DVD format for the Deaf. These DVDs tell the Bible story frame by frame, each frame with an illustrated background.
These artists seek to convey the context of Biblical action and communicate it through illustrations. They have found this profoundly challenging and life-changing, as you can read in the extract below from the DOOR website…
What is a storyboard?
Deaf artists are working with Deaf translation teams in Kenya at DOOR-Africa to draw a frame for each action, concept or visual step of the biblical story. This storyboard becomes a memory tool for those who have seen the story to help them remember it accurately when they do not have DVD access. It also is a great hand-out for Deaf youth and children in Deaf school. And, finally, it is entered digitally into the computer and used as a back-drop behind the signer on the Deaf visual Bible.
The result? Quality work that has an impact! Read what a professional artist wrote when she saw the storyboard on the first 32 Bible stories “Know God How?” …
“As a professional artist with some experience in different behind the scenes aspects of the Motion Picture Industry, I have seen many storyboards. I have never seen better artwork done by trained professional storyboard artists. And then to realize that these artists are untrained, and deaf, yet gifted with such skill is a startling example of God reaching people with The Truth.” Jane G.
Deaf Bible artist, SN, and his three man team take their work very serious, carefully researching what clothes looked like in each story, what the buildings looked like, even what colors to use. SN signed about his work: artist drawing:
“I have to meditate on the stories in order to draw them. It causes me to walk much closer with the Lord. I am always thinking about the stories, and about the culture, and how I can communicate the Bible to other Deaf people.”
“My favorite Bible story is when Jesus was crucified. When Jesus was whipped, when you see the picture, you just feel like it really happened. It was so powerful having to draw the blood after he had been lashed. I feel those experiences and I feel the sadness. I can’t believe that I was the one drawing it! I think the Deaf people, when they see the stories; they will feel that same impact in their life.”
Did you know there’s a need for artists in Bible Translation? Here’s another example of an artist putting his skills to work – Stephen, who took a GAP year in Ethiopia and created illustrations for use in Literacy and AIDs awareness materials. These and many more roles are waiting to be filled. Could you be a part of what God is doing?
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Tags: Deaf, DOOR International
