Jim and Carol Dowsett

Jim is the Sign Language Coordinator for Africa, working with Wycliffe Bible Translators, and it's partners: SIL International, JAARS and DOOR International (Deaf Opportunity OutReach).  His role is to facilitate the training of Deaf Christians to be able to translate the Bible into the sign langauges of their communities.  We estimate there are about three Sign Languages for every country in Africa, or about 150 total (research on how many exactly is still underway).  Jim is also finalizing his own training to serve additionally as a translation consultant, to help the newly trained sign language translators be sure they are preparing accurate, useable translations.  His interest in sign language comes partly from his own experiences. He has worn hearing aids all his adult life. This personal affinity for and understanding of the Deaf culture has given him inroads into working in what is often a closely-knit culture.

At this point, Jim works remotely from Dallas, Texas  with frequent trips to Africa.  In September 2010, he and Carol plan to relocate to Nairobi to work at the new DOOR International training center for Bible Translation work for the Deaf.  Jim has a M.A. from the Univeristy of Texas at Arlington in Interdisciplinary studies (Linguistics and Computer Science). The Dowsetts are studying American Sign Language to prepare them more fully to work with the Deaf.  

Jim and Carol have been with Wycliffe and SIL for nearly 18 years in various roles in the US and Kenya. At the end of 2009, Carol stepped down from serving as the SIL International Director for Corporate Communication. When not traveling, they live in Dallas near the International Linguistics Center and attend Silent Friends Chapel, a Deaf congregation.  They have three grown children.

LINKS

Word In Hand (Jim and Carols Website) www.TheWordInHand.net

Wycliffe Bible Translators www.wycliffe.org

SIL International    www.sil.org

DOOR International     www.doorinternational.com

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