“A Single Anklet Does Not Resound”:

A Response to Mother Tongue Theological Education in Africa

Abstract

In this response to previous articles on Mother Tongue Theological Education (MTTE), the author draws from long-term experience at the Lutheran Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia, to advocate a dual linguistic approach in African theological training. Using the Chewa proverb "a single anklet does not resound," the paper argues against an "either-or" strategy, proposing instead a combined, complementary, comparative, and contextual method that integrates both English and a major local language (such as Nyanja). This approach enhances comprehension of complex theological and biblical concepts, leverages target-language stylistic resources, enriches local Bible translation efforts, and grounds pastoral preparation deeply within the socio-cultural realities of the community.