The purpose of the Summer Institute of Linguistics Australia (SILA) is to serve minority language communities worldwide through language development activities. SILA does this through integrated programs of vernacular language study, literacy, translation, and development. Such programs facilitate understanding and communication, and help alleviate poverty, health problems and the disadvantaged state of these communities. SILA recognises that language is the building block for development activities in all of these areas.
To facilitate this purpose, SILA carries out, promotes or supports the following activities:
All of SILA’s work is people-centred and community based. It is concerned with all aspects of human life. There is an emphasis on training and partnership with indigenous people, and the development of locally owned sustainable programs. Promotion of the work of SILA is assisted within Australia by its major partner organisation, Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia, with whom an agreement for services has been signed.