There are still people who do not believe that the Deaf are distinct people groups around the world. Of course, we know that they speak a different language than we do (sign language). However, did you know that there are different sign languages spoken by the various Deaf people groups in countries of the world? Because of the distinct languages spoken by Deaf people, this is a barrier to their understanding and acceptance of the gospel. Additionally, the Deaf see themselves as a people group and have a great affinity for one another. The following video by the BBC shows how important it is for us to recognize and cross the language barrier and how sign language brings the Deaf into a common affinity:
(Thank Jim!)
There are several mission agencies wanting to recruit deaf missionaries to reach out to deaf in developing countries. Eg: (WEC International) Westerners with sign language (usually American or British based) will find it challenging to change their sign language in other countries. One linguist working with deaf in Jordan noted that there were three different sign languages being used by the deaf: one based on English, one based on Arabic, and one that they used among themselves. The Holy Land Institute for the Deaf was compiling a dictionary … mostly based on sign language derived from Arabic.