Some
Deaf readers struggle with reading English because of their limited exposure to that language. The World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) decided to do a translation that would make reading the Bible easier for them. The EVD uses simpler vocabulary and shorter sentences to make it more simple to understand. The English Version for the Deaf (EVD), and its second cover, the Easy to Read Version (ERV) were translated by Ervin Bishop (Greek Language Translator), David Stringham (Hebrew Language Translator) and Benton L Dibrell (Deaf Language Specialist, Interpreter, and Translator). The translators used a thought-for-thought or
functional equivalence method of translation. It was found to be useful for others who struggle with reading and is often used in prisons and literacy programs. The ERV uses the
Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (1984) as its
Old Testament text with some readings from the
Dead Sea Scrolls. It also follows the
Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, when its readings are considered more accurate. For the New Testament revisions, the ERV uses the
United Bible Societies' Greek
New Testament (fourth revised edition, 1993) and Nestle-Aland
Novum Testamentum Graece (twenty-seventh edition, 1993). The EVD New Testament was completed and published by Baker Books in 1978. The Old Testament was completed in 1986. The entire compilation of both Old and New Testaments was published as both the 'English Version for the Deaf' and the 'Easy to Read Version' (primarily for individuals for whom English is a second language) in 1987. In 2004, a major revision of the ERV was finished. It used broader vocabulary and greater use of
gender-inclusive language. The EVD was left unchanged, so it and the ERV now have different texts. Apps for reading both Bibles are available from the WBTC's website, the full text is available online via various Bible aggregator portals. ==Criticism==