Why Language?

No one can live without language.

Every part of our lives needs language. We use it with family, friends, at work, and at the store. We express our most personal thoughts: our faith, identity, and deepest emotions.

A man sits on a crate and reads the newspaper in Panama City, Panama.
Photo by Rodney Ballard
Women prepare food during a Bible dedication in Uganda.

2 billion people can't fully use their language.

Some languages have no books or education materials. Some can't be used on computers or phones. Others have no dictionary, or can't be written. Each community has barriers that hold them back from fully living.

Our Work

Language for Good

SIL has spent 90 years working with communities to overcome language barriers and truly live. Today we work with 1,420 language communities with 855 million people.

Join with us and help people use their languages for good.

Help people use their language to:

Read and write

Heal from trauma

Learn new things

Support their family

Grow their faith

And much more...

Our Causes

Join in and help people use their languages for good.

Help people heal from trauma

Millions of people each year experience war, genocide, violence, and abuse.

Your support funds healing sessions, materials, and training – all customized to each language and culture.

Help people read and write in their own language

Over 750 million people can’t read and write in their own language. Many of these languages don’t yet have a written alphabet.

Your support funds new writing systems, reading classes, and written materials for learners of all ages.

Looking for More?

Check out the rest of our Causes and discover how you can get involved.

View all Causes

Our Impact

Founded in 1934 with two students.
Today, we impact over 855 million people.

Many organizations have helped us by bringing us food and other things we need. You have actually fed our souls and brought healing to our hearts. We needed this more than anything else and we’re thankful.

– Refugee in a trauma healing group

This is the present of the century. I don’t think you realize what you have made.

– Dictionary recipient

After this workshop I will go back ... to tell the men and women that farming is approved by God and he doesn’t look down on it like we do. This will help my people to do their farming work with all their hearts.

– Farming workshop attendee

When I preach in Nyiha language people get so quiet. It’s because they understand very well. And when they understand, they repent and change.

– Local pastor and Bible translator

1,420

Language
Communities

105

Countries

855m+

People Impacted by our Language Programs

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Latest Update

Gbari farmer teaches six workshops

An attendee of our first workshop was so inspired, he now teaches them.

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Latest Story

“You Have Just Saved My Marriage”

A commander-in-chief in the Ethiopian military comes to terms with his family's grief.

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