Multilingualism

Multilingualism in Lystra

"Multilingualism is a resource for effective Gospel communication, not an impediment. The Acts 14:8-20 account demonstrates the risks involved with relying too heavily on gateway languages as a medium for ministry. The potential for catastrophic miscommunication like what was seen…

RichardJune 17, 2025

Bible Translation Language Issues

Translanguaging: Leveraging Multilingualism for Scripture Engagement

Translanguaging as both a theoretical and andragogical lens respects established language-use preferences of end users and seeks to create engagement opportunities that correspond most naturally to a community's current language-use patterns. Use of Scripture should mirror language-use patterns observed elsewhere…

RichardAugust 9, 2022

Language Issues Orality

God and Language

From the book description: What is language? “Language is more than syntax and morphology; it is the vehicle for assuming the weight of a culture,” writes John Pobee, quoted in Michel Kenmogne’s Foreword to this volume. More than that: language…

RichardApril 21, 2022

Language Issues

Engaging African Multilingualism with Scripture

Multilingualism in Africa is a pervasive phenomenon that requires attention and a missiological response. A modern average Kenyan is fluent in at least two languages. How does this impact our ministry in Bible translation? Many people can speak their heritage…

RichardJune 10, 2021

Language Issues

Language and Identity in a Multilingual, Migrating World

"Bible translation agencies may want to consider their frequent appeal to the special place of the mother tongue as “heart language” in producing greater comprehension and impact. In many areas of the world, bilingualism or multilingualism is the norm. People…

RichardJanuary 27, 2020

Language Issues Research

Language Choice Among the Havu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Thesis for Master of Arts with major in Language and Culture Studies, Dallas International University. Abstract: This thesis provides an analysis of current language choices self-reported by Havu participants within the domain of the Havu Christian churches in the urban…

RichardJanuary 5, 2020

Development Language Issues Strategic Planning

Sustaining Language Use

How does a language community sustain their language in the face of ever-increasing forces of language shift? This volume, both a textbook and a handbook, is the result of ten years of reflection by the authors in light of SIL…

RichardSeptember 27, 2018

Language Issues Research

The Impact of Vernacular Scriptures

MA dissertation: Bible & Mission, Redcliffe College, UK. Abstract: In many ways the Malila and Nyiha are typical of Tanzania's numerous multilingual communities, where both Swahili and the local language are used as part of everyday life. Given that there…

RichardJuly 17, 2015

Language Issues Research

Contextualised Language Choice in the Church in Kenya

Fuller Graduate Schools, School of Intercultural Studies Doctor of Intercultural Studies dissertation Abstract: This dissertation explores the missiological opportunities, challenges and implications of growing multilingualism among people who are fluent in two or more languages. I look at the cognitive…

RichardAugust 7, 2013

Language Issues

Mother Tongue Use in Multilingual Churches

Reflections on a research paper by Anicka Fast, relevant for those working on Bible translation in multilingual church contexts: Fast, Anicka 2009. Managing linguistic diversity in the church: language ideological contestation within a shared moral framework in south-western Burkina Faso.…

RichardDecember 28, 2011

Multilingualism - Scripture Engagement