SIL's core contribution areas are Bible translation, literacy, education, development, linguistic research and language tools. As of 2024, we are involved in approximately 1,530 active language projects in 107 countries. These projects impact more than 950+ million people. SIL’s work brings together more than 4,373 staff from 86 countries who work alongside thousands more local partners and community volunteers worldwide. Our services are available without regard to religious belief, political ideology, gender, race or ethnic background.
We long to see people flourishing in community using the languages they value most.
Inspired by God’s love, we advocate, build capacity, and work with local communities to apply language expertise that advances meaningful development, education, and engagement with Scripture.
Our faith inspires and informs our commitment to expand possibilities for people to thrive. We believe all people are created by God and given language as a means for flourishing. Through language, we understand who we are, experience relationships and explore life’s most important questions.
As followers of Jesus, we believe: