Knowledge management
The Sign language unit focuses on Sign language research and on the development of educational materials in Arabic and Jordanian Sign language. Curricula and syllabi are produced for teaching Sign language, Arab deaf culture and the training of interpreters for the Deaf.
Annually a minimum of 100 persons is being taught Sign language. Trainees include teachers and volunteers at the HLID and other centers, college and university students as well as parents and families of deaf children and members of the wider community.
The Sign Language Department also trains Sign Language Interpreters for Deaf students who attend Colleges and Universities. The demand for their services is increasing and the Jordanian government has called a committee into existence to stimulate and support further developments in this field. The Sign Language unit plays an important role in this committee.
The unit is working on a third edition of a Dictionary of Jordanian Sign Language, a project which has been in the pipeline for a number of years. The unit supported the development of two editions of a Yemeni Sign Language dictionary. It is also engaged in linguistic research and development and the book ‘Introduction of the grammar of Jordanian sign language’ was published in Arabic and in English. It serves as a resource for those who want to learn Sign language at a higher level.
The ‘Watch-bible’ in Arabic and Arabic sign language
The sign language department has translated the ‘watch-bible’ by Kees de Kort, a Dutch painter, in Arabic and Arabic sign language. In all 20 books have been translated containing the unique biblical (Christian, Islamic and Jewish) stories and paintings. The books, that are sponsored by the Dutch Bible Society, can be obtained from Jordan.
‘An introduction to the Grammar of Jordanian sign language’
Bernadet Hendriks developed this book together with the sign language department. It is available from Jordan.