Abstract
M.A. (Applied Linguistics & Literary Theory)
This study examined the language of religion in the black Pentecostal Charismatic Church, and particularly the predominant use of English as a medium of communication. A mixed methods design was deemed appropriate for this study. The sample comprised of church members and a senior pastor from a church in Pimville, Soweto (to be referred to as Church
A). Individual interviews and focus groups were used to collect qualitative data; in addition, participant observation was used to supplement the qualitative data. Surveys were used to
collect quantitative data. Information emanating from the data was analysed qualitatively
using the process of content analysis, as well as quantitatively using a descriptive statistics
package (SPSS). The findings suggest that the congregants are receptive to the use of English in the service and see it as an all-inclusive language. However, a majority of these indicated that an interpreting service from English to an indigenous language should be provided by the church. On the basis of these findings, strategies for accommodating the diverse language concerns of the congregation were espoused.