The English Language: 3rd Reason to Advance in Missions Today
February 19, 2010 – 9:10 amIt is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
Americans who speak English have a kind of love-hate relationship with languages; they love their language and hate other languages! However, because of the past influence of the British Empire and the success of the United States as the major world superpower, English is the closest thing to a world language that there has been.
To know English from birth has tremendous advantages. In comparison to other languages, English is difficult to learn. Further, since everyone else wants to learn English, the native speaker who is willing to learn how to teach others English is in great demand.
What I have just said by no means justifies the idea that everyone else should learn our language and that there is no need for a missionary to learn another language. Such an attitude, that missionaries can expect everyone else to learn their language and they can go anywhere with English, is nothing short of arrogant.
It is also a great hindrance to the gospel, and is contrary to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” But that still does not negate the fact that the native speaker’s knowledge of English is a great door-opener and facilitator in travel and connections.
I know seven other languages besides English, but my knowledge of English as a native speaker is still very useful to me the world over.
Let me say a few more words about language learning. Sometimes mission agencies do not stress the tremendous importance of being prepared to learn another language in their deep desire to get candidates to the field.
However, sending a missionary out without the preparation and determination to learn another language is like sending a soldier into battle without a weapon. I have both great sympathy and no sympathy at the same time for the would-be missionary who finds it difficult to learn another language-great sympathy if he is still trying, but no sympathy if he gives up and goes without it.
Human beings have an inherent ability to learn language, I can honestly say a God-given ability. Some may do it better than others, but all the linguistic study on language learning I have done says that anyone who has learned one language can learn another. In other words, if you can read these words, you can learn another language.
Two things are important. First, the major obstacle for adults in learning another language is attitude, particularly their attitude toward their native language. Second, it is important to use the best method of language learning available, and use it every day. I could say more, but you will need to take my linguistics class for that. [Here are a few language learning options via the MM Director.] In conclusion, the native English speaker who can learn another language is a dynamite commodity as a missionary.
Glenn Kerr, guest author for the MM Blog, provides 10 reasons why local churches should advance in their effort to start indigenous church planting movements in regions that do not have a gospel witness.
Glenn J. Kerr is chief translation consultant for Bibles International, the Bible Society of Baptist Mid-Missions. He has worked as a consultant for 15 years, being involved with translation projects on five continents and about 28 languages.
He has a master’s degree in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has done graduate studies in linguistics at Michigan State University, and is currently in doctoral studies through the University of South Africa.
He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Bible translation and related linguistic subjects on an adjunct basis at three Bible colleges and universities in the US as well as his consulting work overseas.
