“Everything is connected to language. It is my desire and hope that as a global community . . . this generation will be known as the one that intervened for languages so that the world’s linguistic tapestry and cultural diversity was preserved.”
Dr. Michel Kenmogne, SIL Executive Director
SIL is pleased that the United Nations has declared 2022-2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. For us, every year is a year of languages because, as the foundation for community flourishing, languages provide people equal access across all sectors of daily life and help affirm the rich diversity of cultural identity that brings glory to God.
As we navigate the next decade, SIL is committed to building a positive context for people to expand their possibilities by increasing the opportunity to succeed in economic, political, spiritual, educational and cultural interests. The unhindered use of these languages further promotes flourishing and helps cultivate attitudes and initiatives promoting peace, harmony and reconciliation. We will continue supporting language communities in their goals to expand possibilities, gain equal access to critical resources, engage with the Bible and flourish together.
OUR WORK
SIL’s vision is to see people in communities flourishing using the languages they value most.
SIL’s work alongside indigenous communities began more than one hundred years ago with the pivotal, life-long friendship between SIL’s founder and a man from a local community in Guatemala. This unprecedented partnership spurred the creation of what would become SIL International and launched a century of collaboration with thousands of communities worldwide. This historic camaraderie established a strong relational emphasis that has since formed the model for generations of SIL linguists, which includes adopting a readiness to work in tandem with communities as they identify their own needs and define their unique development goals.
Today, SIL partners with more than 1,300 communities across the globe to provide cutting-edge research, digital tools, educational resources and other language-related support to stand alongside indigenous communities in their efforts to preserve, revitalize and protect the languages they value most.
FEATURED RESOURCES
IDIL Resource Center
SIL's IDIL Resource Center is a dynamic online library of language development resources built to support the flourishing of non-dominant language communities.
Bloom
Bloom is a free, easy-to-use book-making software that equips language communities to take charge of their own book-making needs.
Alpha Tiles
Alpha Tiles is a literacy app for minority languages that builds spelling skills through a sequence of increasingly difficult games and activities.
Ethnologue
Ethnologue is the most authoritative resource on world languages, providing information and statistics for all of the world’s known living languages.
FEATURED STORIES
IDIL NEWS & EVENTS
SIL Mexico Hosts SIL's 2nd Annual IDIL Event
September 2023 (News)
When SIL launched its participation in UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) in June 2022, our Executive Director Michel Kenmogne announced that we would hold a series of events throughout the Decade to connect with partners, give a global update, and highlight different language communities around the world. On 19 September 2023, in Oaxaca, Mexico, SIL Mexico hosted SIL's annual IDIL event with participants, including representatives of indigenous groups, academics, policy makers, translators, and other stakeholders.
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SIL Executive Director Speaks at Official IDIL Launch in Paris
December 2022 (News)
SIL Executive Director Michel Kenmogne traveled to UNESCO headquarters in Paris as a key speaker at the high-level launch event for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL). Director Kenmogne was invited to speak in a thematic round table discussion titled, Indigenous Languages for Social Inclusion: Quality Education, Knowledge Creation and Advocacy.
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Mexico Finalizes New Plan of Action for Indigenous Languages
October 2022 (News)
Key leaders from Mexico’s government, culture and public education sectors gathered October 14 at Los Pinos in Mexico City alongside representatives from indigenous communities to finalize the Plan de Acción de México (Mexico Plan of Action).
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UNESCO Consultation in PNG
October 2022 (News)
On October 3-7, SIL participated in a UNESCO-initiated consultation with five other organizations at an SIL center in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
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SIL holds launch event in celebration of IDIL
June 2022 (News)
On June 7, 2022, SIL leaders, staff and community representatives gathered at the SIL International headquarters in Dallas, Texas to attend a launch event in celebration of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
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International Mother Language Day 2022
March 2022 (News)
SIL's Aaron Hemphill served as a featured panelist at UNESCO's virtual celebration of International Mother Language Day.
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Planning an International Decade of Indigenous Languages
February 2020 (News)
SIL staff joined more than 500 participants from 50 countries in Mexico City (27-28 Feb 2020) for the an event to plan the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, hosted by UNESCO and the government of Mexico.
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