ST. PETERSBURG, Russia—More than 3,000 deaf people from all corners of the country attended a special meeting earlier this month and learned that for the first time a complete translation of the Bible will be available in Russian Sign Language. Jehovah’s Witnesses announced that they have been working on the project for some time, and at the meeting, the recently completed translation of the Gospels of Matthew and John were released. All in attendance received, free of charge, three new DVDs containing video recordings of those two Gospels. The event held on July 16, 2010, marked a milestone in the cultural and religious life of deaf and hard of hearing people in Russia.

Translation into sign language is both difficult and unique. It is a translation not merely of words but of thoughts, and it therefore allows events and emotions to be more deeply understood and felt. The attendees were deeply moved when an excerpt of the Gospel of John, relating the account of Lazarus’ resurrection, was played during the presentation.

Of the 2,200 congregations and isolated groups of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, 137 consist solely of deaf persons. Worldwide, Jehovah’s Witnesses have translated religious literature—including the Bible—not only into Russian Sign Language but also into 42 other sign languages.

http://www.jw-media.org/rus/20100802.htm