MANAGING LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN A RELIGIOUS PLACE: THE MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLES MINISTRIES (MFM) HEADQUARTER AS A CASE STUDY

Abstract

This paper contributes to the discourse of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, focusing on its language dimension and its relevance to socio-political life. Utilising literature review, participant observation and questionnaire administration, the researchers gathered and analysed data on patterns of language usage in services held at the headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM). The major objective of the study was to examine the management of linguistic diversity in the church, given its position as one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in Nigeria that draws its membership from all over the country. Findings show that while English and Yoruba dominate the linguistic landscape of the church, other indigenous Nigerian languages also receive considerable attention during worship sessions on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Regarding the adoption of these other languages especially in the language-specific fellowship cells, it may be observed that the MFM has been promoting the use and preservation of Nigerian languages, as advocated in the Nigerian Constitution and the National Policy on Education. The authors suggest, however, that more attention needs to be paid to orthographic issues in the onscreen subtitling of translated glosses of the local languages.