Unity vs. Understanding

1A

What about in your community?

1. Are pastors selected from inside or outside the language group or both?
2. Which language(s) do pastors speak?
3. In which language(s) do pastors receive their theological education?
4. How long are pastors assigned to an area especially if they are from outside the language area? 
5. What language(s) are spoken by those who attend church services?
6. How well do church members understand the language(s) used in that church?
   • Very Weakly
   • Weakly
   • Middle
   • Strongly
   • Very Strongly
7. What language or mix of languages would best communicate the Scriptures in a church service?
8. Who makes the decisions about language use within the church – the pastor, local leaders, regional denominational leaders?
9. What languages are used for various church activities and resources: (announcements, (spoken) Bible readings, liturgy, sermon, prayer, songs, Bible studies, prayer meetings, youth meetings, Sunday School, listening groups, storying groups, personal devotions, artistic expressions, evangelism, song books, prayer books, written notices, testimonies)?

Which language for church planting?

1B

What about in your community?

1. What language(s) are used for the following domains: high religion and traditional religion?
2. Summary Question: Considering these things, what is the most effective language for communicating the Gospel to unbelievers?

Don’t forget the women and children

1C

What about in your community?

1. What language(s) are used by each of the following groups (Men, Women, Children, Elderly) and what is each of their level of proficiency?
   • Very Weak
   • Weak
   • Middle
   • Strong
   • Very Strong
2. Does the language seem to be becoming more vigorous, staying at the same level of use, shifting gradually (another language is used in more and more situations), or shifting rapidly? 
3. What language(s) are used for the following domains: (government, media, education, trade, literature, home, rituals, arts, conversations with friends)?
4. Is the local (home) language gaining domains, maintaining, or losing domains?
5. How do people view their home language in relation to the national language or trade language (positively or negatively)?
6. How do those outside the language group view the home language in comparison to the national or trade language(s)? 
7. Summary Question: Considering these things, what do you think the future of your language looks like?

How can you use that dialect?

1D

What about in your community?

1. What are the dialect issues in this language group?
2. Summary Question: Considering these things, is dialect a potential challenge to using the Bible translation?

Alphabet Problems

1E

What about in your community?

1. In your situation, are there disagreements about the script such as which alphabet to use, which letters to use, how to mark tone, etc.? If yes, please describe them.
2. Summary Question: Considering these things, are disagreements about the alphabet a potential challenge to using the written Bible translation?

I want to use all of my languages

1F

What about in your community?

1. In what situations do people use more than one language at the same time? Describe what this looks like.

Are we losing our language?

1G

What about in your community?

1. Are all parents teaching the language to their children?
2. What is the youngest generation that can understand this language well?
3. Summary Question: Considering these things, what do you think the future of your language looks like?

Note: The Multilingual Assessment Tool For Bible Translation provides a helpful way to talk about different kinds of multilingualism and how they can influence Bible Translation and Scripture use and impact.
SIL Global also developed The Language & Identity Journey, which starts with a detailed workshop for any communities concerned about planning the future of their language.