In a world dominated by secular market ethics, linguistic choices are often driven by survival or material gain. Scripture, however, reveals that native languages are not accidental tools or mere commodities. They are divinely ordained vessels of the image of God (imago Dei) entrusted to distinct people groups. It posits that we must teach the next generation that speaking their mother tongue is an act of biblical stewardship that honors their Creator while unlocking tangible paths for community development, economic flourishing, and generational legacy. At the same time, it provides them with an authentic identity and sustainable avenues for resource distribution, knowledge management, and economic flourishing.
On Thursday, 17 December 2026 at 1400 UTC, Prof. Jayne Mutiga, a distinguished scholar, academic leader, and linguist at the University of Nairobi, will argue for a framework for the stewardship of African mother tongues, aligning indigenous linguistic preservation with the cultural mandate given to humanity at creation to multiply in number and rule over creation, and the redemptive vision of the kingdom of God. This argument synthesizes African sociolinguistics with biblical theology, grounded in Kenya’s contemporary constitutional and language realities. To conceptualize mother-tongue proficiency simultaneously as a divine entrustment and a viable market resource, she would synthesize three complementary theoretical frameworks: Bourdieu’s theory of cultural and linguistic capital, Florida’s creative economies framework, and the theological doctrines of covenant stewardship (oikonomia) and missio Dei.
With an extensive and international educational background, Prof. Mutiga serves as the Director of the Centre for Translation and Interpretation at the University of Nairobi. At the University, she balances her instructional duties with critical institutional leadership. In her dual capacity as Director, she oversees both the administrative governance and the strategic direction of research at the Centre for Translation and Interpretation.
Beyond her commitments to higher education, Prof. Mutiga actively contributes her strategic expertise to national and international institutional governance. She holds, or has held, board-level leadership positions at several prominent faith-based, literacy, and educational organizations, including Bible Translation & Literacy (BTL), FOCUS-Kenya, Scott Christian University, the Society of Christian Scholars, the Wycliffe Global Alliance, and Pan Africa Christian University.
Additionally, she has dedicated her time to local community leadership as a retired Church Elder at her local church. Her current research interests are in language mediation (particularly Translation and Interpreting training), language use in society and language endangerment. Driven by a deep personal calling, Prof. Mutiga remains passionate about leveraging her skills to shape academic minds and nurture future professionals.
