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Powegian Uses Symbols System to Translate Bible for the Deaf - Poway, CA Patch
A good book can stir the emotions, whether it’s the childhood favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas or a literary classic like The Great Gatsby. But for many, it’s something centuries older that’s made the biggest impact.
“In the old days, people learned to read and write so they could read the Bible,” said Nancy Romero, a former classical ballerina turned translator for the deaf.
It’s with this in mind, that the 15-year Powegian began translating The Good Book into a language that, until about 40 years ago, didn’t exist: Sign Writing.
Developed by La Jolla resident Valerie Sutton—also a former ballerina who taught Dance Writing at the Royal Danish Ballet Company in Denmark—Sign Writing is a series of vertically written symbols.
“Because the symbols are very visually connected to the way the signs look, [people] often pick it up very quickly,” Sutton said.
On paper, the language includes many intricacies, such as facial expressions and the illustration of an alternating shoulder when necessary to depict characters conversing.
“Every question needs to have the correct expression because it’s part of the grammar,” said Romero, who’s already translated the gospels according to John and Matthew, as well as the Book of Romans.
She has since been given permission by Tyndale to translate the entire New Testament, and says she’s halfway through The Gospel According to Luke. Though some non-religious translations are in the works, Romero says she prefers converting scripture.
“That is my main goal,” she said. “I want to stick with scripture because it’s the only thing that’s certain.”
A good book can stir the emotions, whether it’s the childhood favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas or a literary classic like The Great Gatsby. But for many, it’s something centuries older that’s made the biggest impact.
“In the old days, people learned to read and write so they could read the Bible,” said Nancy Romero, a former classical ballerina turned translator for the deaf.
It’s with this in mind, that the 15-year Powegian began translating The Good Book into a language that, until about 40 years ago, didn’t exist: Sign Writing.
Developed by La Jolla resident Valerie Sutton—also a former ballerina who taught Dance Writing at the Royal Danish Ballet Company in Denmark—Sign Writing is a series of vertically written symbols.
“Because the symbols are very visually connected to the way the signs look, [people] often pick it up very quickly,” Sutton said.
On paper, the language includes many intricacies, such as facial expressions and the illustration of an alternating shoulder when necessary to depict characters conversing.
“Every question needs to have the correct expression because it’s part of the grammar,” said Romero, who’s already translated the gospels according to John and Matthew, as well as the Book of Romans.
She has since been given permission by Tyndale to translate the entire New Testament, and says she’s halfway through The Gospel According to Luke. Though some non-religious translations are in the works, Romero says she prefers converting scripture.
“That is my main goal,” she said. “I want to stick with scripture because it’s the only thing that’s certain.”