Deaf in Bulgaria
Photo Source:
Decar66 - Flickr
Creative Commons
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| People Name: | Deaf |
| Country: | Bulgaria |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 33,000 |
| World Population: | 50,265,850 |
| Primary Language: | Bulgarian Sign Language |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 79.91 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | No |
| People Cluster: | Deaf |
| Affinity Bloc: | Deaf |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Deaf education was in existence in Bulgaria in 1898. Bulgarian Sign Language has its roots in Russian Sign Language, which was first introduced to the country approximately 10 years later. Sign language was allowed in the classroom by 1945.
In 2013, the Deaf Olympics were held in Sofia, Bulgaria. This event brought many Deaf people from around the world to the country and increased awareness among many Bulgarians of Deaf culture and sign language.
As a Deaf population within a hearing one, the Bulgarian Deaf struggle from the same things that most Deaf globally do. Most are born to hearing parents but do not usually learn language or values from them. They often lack anything more than basic communication skills with family members. Their difficulty is not the inability to hear, but the great barrier to communicating with the surrounding dominant culture, especially acquiring information. This leads to people erroneously believing they aren t intelligent. It is also a major barrier to the gospel.
What Are Their Lives Like?
There are special considerations for the Deaf in Bulgaria. There are three boarding schools in Bulgaria for the Deaf. These schools utilize "oral methods," emphasizing speaking/voicing Bulgarian and understanding written Bulgarian while downplaying the use of Bulgarian Sign Language (if it is allowed at all in the schools).
What Are Their Beliefs?
Most people in Bulgaria are either secularized or marginally Christian. Because of the communication barriers, the Deaf seldom understand all of the gospel.
What Are Their Needs?
The concepts of "Deaf culture," "Deaf community," etc., are fairly well established in North America and Western Europe, but are relatively new concepts in Bulgaria, particularly among hearing Bulgarians. Bulgarian Sign Language is not officially recognized as a minority language by the Bulgarian government.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to get ahold of the hearts of Deaf people in Bulgaria and use them to disciple other Deaf people.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to find a way around the communication challenges for the Deaf in Bulgaria.
Pray for the Deaf in Bulgaria to have dreams and visions of Christ, leading them to the cross.