Through the years, my husband and I have ministered to many people from countries other than the United States. For many of them, English is not their first language. It seems logical that once someone learns to speak English, communicating with native English speakers should be easy.
However, reality is much more complicated.
My husband and I can usually understand the people we interact with, but they often struggle to understand some of the terms and phrases we use in everyday conversation. The English language is filled with nuances that can be difficult for someone learning the language to fully grasp in a classroom.
We have discovered that using English idioms in our communication is a no-no. Why? Because we are frequently the only ones who understand them!
Just think about it. Some things are not as “cut and dried” as they seem. At times, you must “get your ducks in a row” if you want to communicate effectively. “Once in a blue moon,” someone will understand exactly what you mean. But most of the time, your idioms will “fall flat.” When speaking to someone who does not speak English as their first language, you can’t always “play things by ear.” You must “think outside the box” and “go the extra mile,” or you may “drop the ball.”
See what I mean?
I have just written an entire paragraph filled with idioms that are unlikely to make sense to someone unfamiliar with American culture and language. People can easily become confused because they interpret idioms literally rather than figuratively.
Idioms are woven into our linguistic DNA. Even if we don’t know when or why a particular phrase originated, we intuitively understand what it means. But someone from another culture may have no reference point for an expression unique to our society. They simply lack the historical and cultural context necessary to understand it.
Many of the people God has brought into our lives are highly educated. Their unfamiliarity with English idioms has nothing to do with their intelligence. In fact, every language has layers of meaning that can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand.
Perhaps you are a native English speaker, but you live in a country such as Canada, England, or Australia. You grew up speaking the same language as I did, yet you probably use idioms, expressions, and sayings that I would not immediately understand. We all have unique perspectives and experiences that shape the way we communicate.
When my husband and I talk to people from other countries, we slow down. We filter our thoughts before they become words. We often rephrase what we want to say. Even people living in the United States on work visas may not understand our idioms. Communicating this way can be mentally taxing because we cannot simply let words pour from our mouths as we might with native English speakers.
The Apostle Paul said, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (I Corinthians 9:22, KJV).
Paul was probably not talking specifically about avoiding idioms, but I believe his words apply. If we are the only ones in a conversation who understand what we are saying, what is the point? Our goal is to build relationships and help people understand the Bible, not confuse or distract them.
Effective evangelism requires us to step out of our comfort zone into someone else’s world. We eat their food. We learn about their culture. We show them that we care about them and their families.
Sometimes, we do something as simple as limiting our use of idioms.
Adapting the way we communicate so others can understand the truth of the Word of God is not wasted effort. It is an expression of love. We should be willing to remove every barrier we can, no matter how small, so people can clearly understand the Gospel message.
So perhaps the next time we find ourselves talking with someone from a different culture or background, we should pause and ask ourselves: Am I communicating in a way they can understand?
PRAYER: Lord, You desire for everyone to hear the good news of Your death, burial, and resurrection. Everyone deserves the opportunity to know that they can be born again of water and of the Spirit. You want people to repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues.
Thank You for bringing people into my life who are not native English speakers. Help me to be your vessel to reach them with the beautiful saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
