Missionary Language Learning in a World Hierarchy of Languages

Languages are organized into a hierarchy of multilingualism based on patterns of learning and use. Native speakers of English, at the top of the hierarchy, find the popularity of English to be convenient. However, it is also detrimental to the work of English-speaking missionaries, as many are inhib...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Smalley, William A. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 1994
In: Missiology
Year: 1994, Volume: 22, Issue: 4, Pages: 481-488
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:Languages are organized into a hierarchy of multilingualism based on patterns of learning and use. Native speakers of English, at the top of the hierarchy, find the popularity of English to be convenient. However, it is also detrimental to the work of English-speaking missionaries, as many are inhibited by hierarchical assumptions from gaining the level of skill which they need in the languages of the people to whom they want to minister. Missionary language competence therefore seems to be decreasing throughout the world as English increases, and only conversion of the typical Anglo missionary worldview can reverse the decline.
ISSN:2051-3623
Contains:Enthalten in: Missiology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/009182969402200405