Service with Wycliffe in language-related work normally begins by starting a training program in applied linguistics.  Wycliffe guides the new member in training plans that are strategic for the field location and that fit well with his or her interests.  For the first field assignment, Wycliffe helps the new member choose one of the following language-related roles.

Many new workers are needed to serve as a:

• Language Surveyor – In a 2-year internship with a language surveyor team leader, conduct linguistic and sociolinguistic field surveys in a particular area.
• Linguistic-Translation Worker – Initial work with speakers of a language to gather and analyze language data, and develop a written form for the language. Learn to speak the language and relate well within the culture.
• Linguistic-Translation Assistant (i.e., General Assistant Language Program) - Assist with academic functions; e.g. a spouse of a linguist-translator who plans to be involved in the language project only in a very general way.

A limited number of new workers, with those most needed listed first, are:

• Linguistics Technician – Gather, organize and analyze linguistics data as part of an established team or under the supervision of a more senior linguist.
• Literacy Technician – Initial involvement in literacy work as part of a team or under the supervision of a more advanced literacy worker.
• Ethnomusicologist – Discover the musical and social characteristics of traditional music and help the people develop Scripture songs in that style.
• Scripture Use Promoter – Help a team promote the use of the translated Scriptures they are producing for a specific language.
• Storying Facilitator (OneStory training in a field internship) – Work with and train nationals for two years to prepare and record 40-50 chronological Bible stories, with training integrated in the first 6 months on the field.
• Initial Exegete – As part of a translation team, gains experience in a host language and culture to then apply exegetical and Biblical language expertise to the translation process.
• Sign Language – Linguistic-Translation Worker - Initial work with users of a sign language to gather (possibly doing field surveys) and analyze sign language data, and possibly develop a written form for it. Learn to use the sign language and relate well within the culture of a deaf community.  Article on Deaf Education

Training Programs in the USA

Once a language-related role is determined for the new member, Wycliffe helps him or her plan their training at one of the training programs offered in the United States.  Accredited programs are available at the certificate, undergraduate and graduate levels, through both public universities and private schools.  In order for you to know which courses at these various programs are the minimum required for your chosen language-related role, contact the Wycliffe office in your area.

The following schools offer the all minimum courses required (except where noted) for the following five language-related roles:

1. Language Surveyor
2. Linguistic-Translation Worker
3. Linguistic-Translation Assistant
4. Linguistics Technician
5. Literacy Technician

If you plan to begin your language-related training before becoming a Wycliffe member, or if you have any questions, talk to a Wycliffe Recruiter.  Your Recruiter has contacts that can help you with your plans and questions.

Will you need any further linguistics training beyond the above?

Should you become a Wycliffe member, as you progress through your chosen training program, Wycliffe will facilitate assignment to a specific partner organization (PO) on the field. That PO administration then will plan with you the remainder of the training that will be needed before beginning your first field term.  (Occasionally, a graduate degree may be needed as well, but not normally.)

After your initial field term, further training may be needed to prepare for the work to be done during your next field term.  What training this will be depends on your chosen language-related role. 

For example, if your role is that of a Linguistic-Translation Worker, during the next field term you will be getting into actual translation of the Bible.  Your field PO administration may not have had you take some of the training for that, yet.  If so, then you may need further training before your return, in order to have a basic knowledge of the biblical text and of the historical and cultural background of the Bible.  You will take courses that cover this, as well as train you to be able to accurately exegete the biblical text.

The other language-related roles may also require some further training in preparation for the next field term.

You may wonder whether Wycliffe members take advanced degree programs, such as a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies.  Once members have had some field experience in one of the above roles, some may be encouraged to pursue an advanced degree program.  The member’s field PO administration will plan with him or her a degree study program that will both fit the member’s interests and serve the strategy of the given field.