Language and Legitimacy in Religious Practices in Sangmelima Town: A Comparative Analysis of the Catholic Church and Full Gospel Mission

This study investigates the language practices used in two Christian churches located in the town of Sangmelima in the South Region of Cameroon. The churches selected for the study were the Catholic church and a Pentecostal church. participants in the research included the priest, the pastor, catechists, choir leaders and several members of the congregations. Data were gathered through two main methods: interview and observation. The findings showed that these two churches adopted specific strategies during services. In the Catholic church we have: the use of official language, ritual repetition, formulaic prayers recited in unison., monologic and formal style, the use of indigenous songs, Parallel services, Code-switching, symbolic use of language, code restriction, parallel services, the use of indigenous songs, borrowing, inclusive participation, and dialogic style. In the FGM, the following strategies were used: the use of official languages, simultaneous translation, testimonies and exclamations, the use of lingua franca and transnational languages, interactive style, and metaphors. From these results it is inferred that these two churches are similar in: the use of the first official language of that area, multilingual musical repertoire, use of indigenous songs, dialogic style, inclusive participation, and interactive style. However, they differ in: ritual repetition, monologic and formal style, code-switching, symbolic use of language, parallel services, simultaneous translation, exclamations, metaphors, and translation.