General

Education No module yet Domain-specific education

Target competencyHas pursued domain specific knowledge via formal education or equivalent in one of the following: translation, linguistics, literacy / education or scripture engagement.

About this descriptor

This applies the workbook's single Domain-specific education ladder to the General domain; the framework calls out each domain separately, so the rationale and activities below are shared across them.

Why it matters

A Language Technologist needs a good understanding of at least one of the language domains used in Bible translation and language development work.

Progression

Each rung is a level a learner is at; its activities are what carries them to the next one. How to read these levels

Has knowledge in one of the language domains

1. 0No Competency

   Complete a semester of university level courses in one of these domains. Alternately, gain significant practical experience in one of these domains from working in a language program.

   Carries a learner to 1 — Has Knowledge

2. 1Has Knowledge

   Complete a bachelor's program or a semester of post graduate level courses in one of these domains. Alternately, gain significant practical experience in one of these domains from working in a language program.

   Carries a learner to 2 — With Assistance

3. 2With Assistance

   Complete a Master's program in one of these domains or demonstrate a thorough understanding and respected contribution to the field.

   Carries a learner to 3 — Independent

4. 3Independent

   Complete a Doctoral program (PhD, EdD) in one of these domains.

   Carries a learner to 4 — Expert

Description

Domain-specific knowledge in one of the following: translation, linguistics, literacy/education or scripture engagement.

Further Information

• SIL TranslationSite · sil.orgSIL page describing translation roles and the training needed to serve in them.
• SIL Training in TranslationSite · sil.orgSIL page listing translation training courses offered by organizations around the world.
• SIL Literacy and EducationSite · sil.orgSIL page describing literacy and education roles and the training they require.
• SIL Training in Literacy and EducationSite · sil.orgSIL page on background and training useful for international literacy and education work.
• SIL Training in Scripture EngagementSite · sil.orgSIL page describing Scripture Use roles and the training they require.
• Scripture EngagementSite · sil.orgSIL page explaining Scripture engagement and how Scripture Use staff work with teams and churches.
• SIL TrainingSite · sil.orgSIL overview of training in linguistics, literacy, translation and related language development fields.
• Dallas International UniversitySite · diu.eduDallas International University, offering accredited programs in language, culture and Bible.
• Canada Institute of LInguisticsSite · canil.caCanada Institute of Linguistics, which trains linguists for language development and Scripture translation.
• SIL LinguisticsSite · sil.orgSIL page introducing linguistics as a foundation for language development work.

More in the resource library.

Descriptor last updated 2026-09-02.