09/07/2025 08:30
- 15:00
HALL: Lecture Hall 50
Chair:
Fraeters V.
Proponent:
Alberts E.,
Hoff R.
Speaker:
Alberts E.,
Baczyk P.,
Haque S.,
Hoff R.,
Lensink J.,
Nguyen K.
This panel delves into how language and literacy shape religious experience and contributes to empowerment, from the use of sacred languages to the adoption of vernacular speech in worship. In some traditions, languages like Latin or Arabic hold a special status, often accessible primarily to religious leaders or scholars, emphasizing the ritual aspects of worship over personal comprehension. In other contexts, translating sacred texts into the vernacular empowers laypeople to access religious knowledge directly, influencing their personal faith and involvement in their communities, as seen in medieval Europe's vernacular Bible translations.
We invite contributions that examine how these language choices influence religious literacy, social hierarchy, and personal and religious empowerment. How does sacred language preserve a sense of mystery, inspire spirituality, or reinforce authority within a faith community? Conversely, what are the effects of vernacular languages on individual interpretation and collective understanding? Papers may address these questions through historical or contemporary examples, exploring how different approaches to language can empower communities and create space for diverse interpretations of faith. Through this inquiry, the panel seeks to understand how language choice in religious contexts reflects broader social dynamics and affects individual and collective engagement with spirituality.