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Family Organization > SIL SIL International For those interested in missions and Bible translation, Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) is a household name. But mention SIL International and you may get a puzzled look. What most people don't know is that WBT and SIL are sister organizations, each with a different yet vital role in bringing the Word of God to Bibleless peoples. While WBT recruits members and develops prayer and financial support for the workers on the field, it is SIL that trains and sends them out. It may be most useful to think of SIL as WBT's on-the-field, academic training partner. Why WBT and SIL? SIL is recognized internationally as an academic organization. Because SIL members have published over 1300 technical monographs, 144 doctoral dissertations, 165 master's theses, and more than 5000 academic articles, SIL has gained the legitimacy needed to be invited by governments to help develop minority languages. Today, SIL works in over 50 countries, in partnership with host governments, universities, churches, and local people, to promote linguistics research, literacy work and orthography development. A Growing Ministry Cameron Townsend, the founder of WBT, finished a translation for the Maya Cakchiquel people of Guatemala without any linguistic training. But he realized that linguistics training would be essential if the Bible were to be translated into the remaining languages of the world. Thus, in the summer of 1934, two students went to a farm in Arkansas to receive linguistics training. In subsequent summers, more and more students went to be trained. Back then, only one summer of training was required before going to the field. Though SIL now offers classes year-round, the name reflects its humble beginnings. SIL has grown steadily in other ways. Today, one can receive linguistics training at SIL schools in Australia, England, France, Germany, and New Zealand. In Canada, Trinity Western University offers SIL courses year-round. In the United States, SIL offers the traditional summer courses on the campuses of University of North Dakota and University of Oregon. In addition, there are SIL-approved courses offered in affiliation with Biola University, Houghton College, and Moody Bible Institute. The standard SIL prefield training courses are offered in each of these schools. In addition, GIAL is licensed by the state of Texas to grant Master of Arts degrees in Applied Linguistics and Language Development. GIAL is presently working toward regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Thus, more than ever, SIL is carrying out Cameron Townsend's vision of thoroughly equipping Bible translators with linguistics training. An Expanding Curriculum Just as SIL is no longer limited to summer sessions in America, training for Bible translators is no longer limited to linguistics. Though they will learn more about phonetics, phonology and grammar than they ever wanted, they will also receive training in a variety of other disciplines. Anthropology: Focuses on providing resources for promoting and sharing cultural awareness. This helps translators understand foreign cultures, an understanding necessary for accurate and relevant translation. Literacy: Provides methods for teaching people to read, especially people whose language has never been written down. Also trains students to develop primers and other reading materials. Without a strong literacy program, the translated Bible will be unread and powerless to change lives. Computing: Trains translators in the use of LinguaLinks, a linguistic data management and analysis program developed by SIL. LinguaLinks greatly increases the productivity and speed of translation work. Translation: Teaches the principles behind translating from one language to another so the core meaning remains intact, with no additions or subtractions. Spiritual growth: Provides a wealth of resources, chapels, Bible studies, prayer partners, to make sure people are prepared spiritually before they go overseas. SIL members know that translation is as much a spiritual work as it is an academic one, and that the task can't be done if they don't abide in Christ. Partnership Strategy When WBT members go overseas to translate the Bible or do literacy work, they go as members of SIL. In doing so, they represent an international, multidisciplinary academic organization that is recognized for scholarly work in the areas of anthropology, linguistics, literacy and computer programming. The partnership between WBT and SIL has proven to be an effective strategy for Bible translation. Like the missionaries that represent them, the two organizations constitute a marriage of missions and scholarship. Both are necessary for Bible translation; both give glory to God. |
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