The Birth of Jesus...in Signed English
A Note to Parents and Teachers The American Bible Society is dedicated to the faithful translation, publication and distribution of the Holy Scriptures without doctrinal note or comment, in the languages that people understand and at prices they can afford to pay. In keeping with this historic commitment, the American Bible Society is responding to the challenge presented by the growing population of deaf and hearing-impaired young people in the United States. This Scripture Selection is part of that response. It represents a dynamic equivalent translation of the original Greek text into Signed English. Signed English provides the young deaf reader with an educational supplement to learning the English language. It enables children to improve their reading skills by visually associating the Signed English text with the printed form of the word. The format is designed to communicate with the young or newly deaf reader as effectively as possible. This is done by translating the Scripture text at three simultaneous levels of communication: 1. the Signed English text appearing above each word in the printed text. The signs are accompanied by phonetic cues on the signer's face. 2. the printed English text in the form of a complete syntactical unit which serves as a caption to the illustration. 3. a picture which functions as a "non-verbal" text illustrating the progression of the printed and signed text. In the home parents will find it rewarding to read this book together with their deaf child, pointing to words, pictures, and imitating signed concepts. Other places where the book will be useful are classrooms, Sunday Schools, religious education classes, and libraries. Repetition of the words and phrases will enhance reading development. American Bible Society 1979 Eng. Sel. SSE 690P ABS-1979-15,000-Q-1-08001
The Birth of Jesus...in Signed English As told by Luke AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY New York
Joseph went from Nazareth, Galilee to Bethlehem, Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph was 2
from the family of David. Joseph went from Nazareth, Galilee to Bethlehem, Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph was from the family of David. 3
He went to register with Mary, his future wife. 4 She was going to have
He went to register with Mary, his future wife. She was going to have a baby. a baby. 5
While they were in Bethlehem, the baby was born. While they were in Bethlehem, 6 the baby was born.
There was no room for them to stay in the inn. There was no room for them to stay in the inn. 7
Nearby in the fields, shepherds were caring for their sheep. Nearby in the fields, shepherds were caring for their sheep. 8
A bright angel appeared to them. The shepherds were afraid. A bright angel appeared to them. The shepherds were afraid. 9
"Do not be afraid. I have good news for you and all people. Today in Bethlehem your Savior was born... Christ the Lord." "Do not be afraid. I have good news for you 10 Bethlehem your Savior was
and all people. Today in born... Christ the Lord." 11
12 "See for yourselves: you will find the baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger."
"See for yourselves: you will find the baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger." 13
Suddenly many angels appeared 14 Peace on earth to all
God Suddenly many angels appeared singing praises: "Glory to God! Peace on earth to all people who please God." singing praises: "Glory to God! people who please God." 15
When the angels left, the 16 to Bethlehem and see what
When the angels left, the shepherds said, "Let us go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us." shepherds said, "Let us go the Lord has told us." 17
The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. 18 The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem.
They found Mary and Joseph. They found Mary and Joseph. 19
20 They saw the baby
They saw the baby lying in a manger. lying in a manger. 21
They told everyone what the angel said about the baby. All people who heard the story were amazed. They told everyone what the 22
angel said about the baby. All people who heard the story were amazed. 23
Mary thought much about all these things. Mary thought much about 24 all these things.
The shepherds went again to the fields. The shepherds went again to the fields. 25
26 They sang praises to God. Everything happened same as the angel told them.
They sang praises to God. Everything happened same as the angel told them. 27
Seven days later the baby was named Jesus. This was the name the angel gave the baby before he was born. 28 Seven days later the baby was
named Jesus. This was the name the angel gave the baby before he was born. 29
NOTES
NOTES
NOTES
The sign words in this book represent part of a system called SIGNED ENGLISH, originally developed by the Gallaudet College Signed English Project. Essentially, these signs are taken from the American Sign Language, and used in English syntax to represent English words. Signed English employs two kinds of gestures: sign words and sign markers. Each sign word represents one English word. These sign words are organized in the same order as words in an English sentence. Sign markers are used to identify the tense of verbs, singular or plural, neutral or possessive qualities inherent in the English language. Sign markers are used after completion of the sign word. As the reader looks at the sign, the marker appears on the reader's left (signer's right). Sign markers are numbered for your convenience. When a sign word does not adequately represent an English word, the manual alphabet is used to spell the word. This selection of Holy Scripture consisting of Luke 2.4-21 is part of the New Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ. This translation has been especially prepared for young and/or new deaf readers. Further information regarding Signed English Scripture Portions may be obtained from the American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023. AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY New York 08001