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It is always an interesting experience to me when I travel to a place where the culture and the language are different from home.
Last week I returned from Tanzania where, of course, the culture was dramatically different from here in Colorado. At the start of my trip the language divide was stark. But, as I’ve found on previous trips, by the end of my travel I saw far more similarities in the people than differences despite the language and cultural divide.
Each conversation with the Tanzanians began with a courteous “Jambo” (a greeting). The language quickly grew on me. Indeed, by the end of the trip I could actually use enough Swahili to help me get through the public market.
On one of my flights back to Colorado it occurred to me that I often experience this same sensation when brokering agreements and partnerships among ministries here at New Iron Media. This may sound crazy, but it’s true.
Even though Christians in general have their own “jargon”, there is no doubt that ministries create their own world of “micro-jargon.” This micro-jargon is one of the factors which prohibits partnership among ministries and denominations in so many instances, even though the macro vision of each are closely aligned.
Getting through this language divide is often a key in our work to finding common ground, a common vision, and the resulting ministry partnership agreement and business plan.
So, even though most of my work is in the states, I still act as a translator on a daily basis. A bilingual bridge among ministries and faith-based organizations working toward common goals must be built continually. The U.S. is the same as Tanzania: even though the languages are different, there are far more similarities among ministries and faith-based organizations than differences.
Tags: christianity, church, cooperation, Culture, language, Tanzania, translator