By FABIAN EKERUCHE

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has completed the translation of additional 77 Chronological Bible Stories (CBS) in Nigerian sign language for the deaf.

This is contained in a statement by Mr. Benjamin Mordi, BSN Manager, Media and Public Relations, on Sunday in Lagos.

Mordi said that the feat which was achieved in June 2022 brought to 222, the total number of the CBS in Nigerian sign language.

According to him, the sign language Bible, which is in video format and available on memory stick, is designed to meet the scriptural needs of the hearing impaired.

He said that the Bible stories, though expensive, were distributed free of charge to the deaf community.

Mordi said that the first 77 CBS for the deaf were dedicated in 2014 with 33 more stories in 2017 and additional 35 in 2021, bringing the total number of CBS to 145.

He noted that with the completion of the additional 77 Bible stories in June, the society now had 222 CBS in the Nigerian sign language.

“Translation work is ongoing, as we are now set to commence the translation of the New Testament for the deaf.

“Out of over 400 different genres of sign languages, only about 10 per cent of sign languages have access to the scripture globally.

“This makes the estimated 70 million people living with hearing impairment, one of the largest unreached groups on the globe,” Mordi said.

According to him, 11 sign languages used by about 2.8 million deaf persons received portions of scripture in 2019.

Mordi said that the BSN was committed to breaking any known barriers that could make the word of God inaccessible to the people.

He added that the sighted, the blind and the deaf now had unhindered access to the word of God in Nigeria. (NAN)

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