Learn about Auslan Bible Translator, Trudy Fraser’s Journey on the Auslan Bible Project
Nearly 30 years ago, a young Deaf university student named Trudy Fraser attended a translation forum at the John Pierce Centre in Melbourne. There, representatives from Bible Society Australia shared a bold vision — to create a Bible in Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
Seeing that she was a good fit, Trudy was invited to join this pioneering project as a translator and even flew to Sydney for training and workshops. But as a 20-year-old student, she didn’t feel ready. “I was not confident enough, not yet. I had certain skills, but not all the skills I needed,” she recalls.
So she stepped back to finish her studies and went on to work in education support at a Deaf school, carrying that vision quietly in her heart. Over the years, God kept weaving threads into her story. A providential meeting with Rebecca Thurrowgood from Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia reignited her passion for Bible translation in Auslan. Together they dreamed of a Bible accessible to the Deaf community.
Trudy began attending storytelling workshops run by Wycliffe and discovered she had the skills to bring Bible stories to life in Auslan. Inspired, she started creating children’s Bible stories on her own, producing a small series that helped her grow in confidence. Step by step, God was preparing her for the very work she had once felt unprepared to do.
A New Era for the Auslan Bible
Fast forward to today: Trudy is now an Auslan Bible translator, and the dream she first heard about 30 years ago is flourishing. With the launch of the brand new Auslan Bible website — auslan.bible — Scripture is more accessible than ever for Deaf Australians.
Since 1997, the Auslan Bible Translation Project has been led by the Auslan Bible Committee, with Bible Society Australia providing translation expertise and financial support. In 2023, Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia joined the effort, strengthening the translation team.
The new site is visually rich, user-friendly, and designed for Auslan users. It features all currently available Auslan-translated Scripture, including:
Trudy signing ‘God’ in Auslan for the Auslan Bible Project.
Why Translation in Auslan Is Unique
Auslan is the first language of Australia’s Deaf community, used at home by more than 16,000 people nationwide. Auslan is a visual language, using handshapes, movement, facial expressions, and space to show meaning. “It’s not like written language, and there is no ‘frozen text’, shall we say. It’s all very expressive,” explains Trudy.
When it comes to translating Bible stories in Auslan, it becomes more challenging when there isn’t much detail to work with. “For example,” explains Trudy, “if we were telling a story about anointing someone with oil, we’ve got to think when we sign it, ‘How much oil — was there a lot of oil? Did it pour down all over the person’s face?’ When we are signing, we have to show something.”
Translators must not only convey meaning accurately and clearly but also in a way that feels natural and engaging to Auslan users. The Deaf community’s feedback is essential in shaping the final expression. As Trudy explains, “We want them to look at it. Do they give it a thumbs up? Or do they say, ‘Oh, that bit was a bit hard to understand’, or ‘Can you please polish that up?’ … We want the Deaf community’s involvement, absolutely. Because this is their Bible.”
An ‘Aha’ Moment
One of Trudy’s most moving experiences came earlier this year at a Deaf Christian conference. She introduced participants to the Auslan Bible YouTube channel and asked them to choose a video to watch together. “They picked the Lord’s Prayer,” shares Trudy. “I wanted to see their facial expressions when they saw the video, so I stood to the side and watched the people in the room. I saw one of the strong Deaf leaders who leads a Deaf church watching, and his facial expressions said, ‘Oh! … Ah! … What? … Oooh!’ And I thought, ‘Wow! He’s a leader who gets up and signs and preaches, and he’s having an ‘aha’ moment watching this and seeing what the Lord’s Prayer really means. That impact — that is huge. And that was our aim, so I was really thrilled.”
God’s Perfect Timing
The Lord’s Prayer was one of the first translations that Trudy worked on for the Auslan Bible Project. After the team had released the video on YouTube, Trudy felt something profound. “I felt an amazing feeling of God’s blessing on me, and I realised in that moment I am doing the right thing. God’s pleased and he led me here.”
Trudy recognised that she had come full circle: from being invited to help start the Auslan Bible Project almost three decades ago, to years of preparation, and now, contributing to a major milestone in its history. “I now have the confidence and the skills. I can see how God had been leading me to this point all along, and now is the right time with the right people — everything is right. I have such a peace, and it is a wonderful experience.”
Amy from Bible Society Australia recording with Trudy for the Auslan Bible Project.
Rebecca from Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia and Trudy at the Auslan Bible Project.
Why This Matters
Many Deaf Australians struggle to fully understand written English, making it hard to access the Bible’s meaning. As Trudy explains, when a Deaf person tries to read God’s word in English, “they might get some of it, but not the full picture.” The Auslan Bible helps remove that barrier, allowing them to engage with Scripture directly in their own language — visually, expressively, and without translation hurdles.
Trudy is deeply thankful for all who have supported the Auslan Bible Project: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the project and supported our work, your contributions have helped enormously. And thank you for your prayers — they are so very valuable. Without prayer, none of this would have happened. We just appreciate your partnership so much.”
How You Can Use and Share This Resource
The new auslan.bible is free for anyone to use — at home, in small groups, or during church services. If your church has Deaf members or connections to the Deaf community, you can now share Scripture readings in Auslan during worship, Bible studies, or outreach events.
By using the Auslan Bible, you help ensure Deaf Australians can see and understand the Gospel in the language of their heart.
Explore and share today: Visit auslan.bible and see how you can bring the word of God to life in Auslan for the Deaf community.
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