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Multilingual Church

Language is important. But not many people talk about it. Over the last few years I’ve written a number of posts about multilingualism and the church and in 2019 I completed my MA dissertation looking at just that. The MA was only the start. I want to see churches talking about language and I want to see churches using more of the languages spoken by their congregations and communities.

I also recognise that one of the reasons we don’t talk much about language is that we still need to have more conversations about identity, race, class, culture and Christian community now and in the age to come.

Click through to a few of my public posts so far. You are welcome to reblog or share these on social media with or without comment. You might even like to blog, post or tweet your own thoughts and experience on #multilingualchurch . You could write (or read) a book too. Jonathan Downie’s Multilingual Church is certainly one I’d recommend (and will blog about soon). I’ve also just attended the second conference of the Anglican Network for Intercultural Churches .

Pentecost 2024 and the Multilingual Church (coming soon)
The Holy Spirit coming on the disciples at Pentecost is clearly not just about linguistic diversity …but neither is a more multilingual or intercultural church.

Census 2021: Languages and locations in England and Wales

Read the introduction or jump straight to the interactive maps with details of 95 languages and categories, many of which are spoken in over 300 local areas. Search for a specific language —– Explore languages in each local authority

Now you are talking my language! 

If you cannot understand what is said or written, then that creates an obvious barrier to understanding, but is language more than that?

Language is often a barrier, maar is ook een plupunt

The Blessing – how many languages will it been sung in?

I now have 144 videos and at least 195 languages in my playlist. One day blessings will be sung in 7000 languages (but not necessarily to this tune)

[As we move further into 2022 the next two posts on resources for Christmas might not be so seasonal. If useful for later you could add a link in your calendar]

Wishing you a merry multilingual Christmas

How to say Merry Christmas in the many languages spoken in your community (and many more)

& It’s not too late to think about Christmas

As we move further into 2022A collection of Christmas links including multilingual playlists of translated carols. (Do you know which carol is available in over 140 languages?)


How many languages in the USA? (and how many have Bibles available online) 

How many Languages are spoken in Britain?

Ten reasons for a more multilingual Church

Welcome in 250 languages

Definitely over 1,300 languages. Nearly 500 have been added since this was first posted!

Coming soon… Multilingual Worship 

The Worlds Favourite Worship Songs? 

Five ways to use other languages (a bit) in your church 

Global(ised) Worship 

Coming Soon

Stay tuned for more tips on introducing multilingual worship, more on the theology of language, latest theories on the benefits of bilingualism and education …and much more.