English as a medium of worship: The experiences of the congregants of a Pentecostal charismatic church in Soweto

Thabisile N Adams,Anne-Marie Beukes

doi:10.4102/lit.v40i1.1438

Abstract

This study examines the experiences of the congregants of a Pentecostal charismatic church (PCC) in Soweto regarding the use of English for communication. This particular church is peculiar in that English is its predominant language of religion. This is in stark contrast to many mainline churches (such as the Anglican, Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches) that use indigenous African languages (IALs) in most, if not entire, presentation of church services for black congregants. The curiosity then arises concerning the reasons for the predominant use of English during services in PCCs. The objectives of this study were to find out the general views of black congregants about the English language, how this view may impact on the congregants’ view of the use of English within the context of the service and what their preferences about language use in the sermon are, and why. The findings suggest that the congregants view English positively and are receptive to its use in the service, particularly for conducting sermons. In addition, English is seen as an all-inclusive language but notably, not as a language of identity. Based on these findings, strategies for accommodating the diverse language concerns of the congregation were espoused.

Highlights

South Africa is a country of many languages, diverse nationalities and cultures
Its focus is on the relationship between language and religion in the South African context and language use in the conducting of church services and other activities
English has become a predominant mode of preaching and communication in Pentecostal churches, yet ‘little has been written on the history of Black Pentecostals in South Africa’ (Anderson & Pillay 1997:227)

Summary

Introduction

South Africa is a country of many languages, diverse nationalities and cultures This diversity is reflected in institutions such as the Christian church. Bauerle et al (2012:11) allude to this diversity in the religious domain: ‘the diversity of South Africa’s churches and religious communities reflects the country’s history of immigration and politics, the work of missionaries and the black population’s struggle for emancipation’. Its focus is on the relationship between language and religion in the South African context and language use in the conducting of church services and other activities. English has become a predominant mode of preaching and communication in Pentecostal churches, yet ‘little has been written on the history of Black Pentecostals in South Africa’ (Anderson & Pillay 1997:227). The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate the views of black congregants of a Soweto-based Pentecostal charismatic church (PCC) (to be called Church A) regarding the predominant use of English in church services, and given that these congregants generally speak indigenous African languages (IALs) at home, and (2) to determine their preferences regarding language use in sermons

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion