Multilingualism, religion and spirituality in Australian life

Call for papers: Exploring multilingualism, religion and spirituality in Australian life

Editors: Dr Robyn Moloney, Macquarie University; and Very Rev Fr Dr Shenouda Mansour, NSW Ecumenical Council

Today in Australia there is robust growth of communities of religious life and spirituality, each with their own language background, contributing to social and spiritual wellbeing. What are the connections and personal experiences in the intersection of languages, religion and spirituality? What is the role of the religious practice in supporting the language? Or the role of the language in supporting the spirituality? Do language choices impact faith and identity? Is there a connection between language and social justice action? What are First Nation people’s experiences of the relationship between the teaching of Indigenous languages, and Indigenous spirituality?  Is there an emerging inclusive ecumenism of linguistic issues and faiths?

We are seeking expressions of interest in two different types of writing. The book will feature

• Current academic research studies or commentary
• Collections of shorter community narratives and voices

Through this mix, the book will profile the multiple intersections of multilingualism, religion, and spirituality, in Australian society. The volume will be double-blind reviewed by external referees.

We welcome:

• Research studies related to (probably non-English) language use and identity within faith-based communities
• Accounts of language teaching and learning associated with a spiritual context
• Individual or group narratives of using or understanding a non-English language within a spiritual context
• Linguistic and faith issues in inter-ethnic conflict reduction
• Portraits of the development of a community and its language
• Language knowledge enabling spiritual development in particular contexts

How to contribute

Stage 1. Please submit an abstract of your intended contribution (either academic, or community narrative), length approximately 300 words by 15 September 2020 to Dr Robyn Moloney and Very Rev Fr Dr Shenouda Mansour.

Stage 2. We will invite you to develop your final submission by 1 February 2021

Suggested questions

The following questions are offered to provide stimulus ideas. Please select those areas which are relevant to your focus context. Research studies will probably follow the genre of research reporting. You may extend beyond these suggestions.

1. What language(s) do you or others use or understand in your faith/ spirituality? How did you learn that language? What role(s) does that language have? You may like to give some short examples of the language, with translation, and explain why they are significant to you. What role has it had in shaping your identity or sense of belonging, as a member of that community?
2. How would you describe the relationship between your languages, your religious practice/experience, and the languages of your everyday life?
3. Has your church/community made (or had to make) choices in language use? Is this a source of tension? Do these choices impact faith and identity?
4. Is your community connected to a community outside Australia? Are language issues a source of conflict in that context?
5. Are there connections between languages, and your community’s involvement with social justice and action?