Daniel Paul is a translation and linguistics consultant with SIL in Eurasia. His PhD is in linguistics from the University of Manchester. He has done fieldwork in Tajikistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
Spiritual Capital: A Muse to Inspire Scripture Engagement
Abstract
Fruitful Bible translation requires two activities which are often siloed: determining appropriate speech varieties in which to work – “language assessment”, and creating the best climate for translated material to be transformative – part of “Scripture engagement” (SE). We propose an integrated approach which overcomes the dichotomy between sociolinguistic and missional programs. Using the same set of research tools provides a unified conceptual framework and promotes synergy between translation and church growth.
Speakers can scope what their “heart language(s)” are by identifying those speech communities in whose social capital they are investing. This includes ongoing study, best led by communities themselves, of their
a) social network structures;
b) norms and reciprocal obligations; and
c) shared narratives.
They can assess their spiritual capital in a similar way, if we reorient that concept to make God both the agent and goal of its growth. This requires study of
a) the various spiritual identities of the individuals and groups with which people network; and the extent to which
b) core norms and obligations are Church-based, and
c) shared narratives are biblically concordant.
The integrated study of social and spiritual capital helps communities to hold linguistic identity issues and SE needs in tandem, so that their churches can be established, equipped and expanding. To identify practical ways forward, we consider some live Bible translation projects in West Asia.