What SIL International does

SIL International is a Christian nonprofit organization founded in 1934 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, that studies, documents, and assists in developing the world's lesser-known languages. Operating under the public-facing brand 'SIL Global' (previously the Summer Institute of Linguistics), the organization deploys 4,213 staff and volunteers across 119 countries to serve 1,572 language communities, with documented work on orthographies for over 1,300 languages since inception. SIL's core activities span language assessment, orthography development, literacy and multilingual education programs, dictionary creation, translation support, and language technology development. Primary beneficiaries are ethnolinguistic minority communities and deaf/sign language communities lacking access to Scripture, education, and health resources in their mother tongue.

SIL's product portfolio includes proprietary open-source software tools for field linguistics — FieldWorks Language Explorer (FLEx), WeSay, SayMore, Bloom, The Combine, LanguageForge, Lexique Pro, Pathway, SooSL, and DictionaryAppBuilder — alongside specialized fonts (Andika, SIL Fonts Collection) and reference platforms (Ethnologue, ScriptSource, Webonary). The organization contributes to Unicode character encoding standards and integrates with external tools such as Keyman keyboards and UBS Paratext. SIL also operates an extensive training infrastructure through partnerships with 20+ universities worldwide, ranging from certificate programs to master's degrees in linguistics, translation, and language development.

The revenue model combines donations and charitable contributions from individuals, churches, and organizations; fees from training and educational services delivered through university partnerships; and revenue from publications and resources via SIL Global Publishing Services. Services are provided free or at minimal cost to end-user language communities (a freemium pricing posture for non-commercial use), with no disclosed revenue figures available. SIL holds a Charity Navigator four-star rating, ECFA accreditation, and Candid Silver Seal, reflecting its governance and financial accountability standards as a faith-based nonprofit.

Name

SIL International

Legal name

SIL International Inc.

Website

https://sil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

SIL International is a Dallas-headquartered Christian nonprofit founded in 1934 that deploys 4,213 staff and volunteers across 119 countries to develop orthographies, dictionaries, literacy programs, and software for 1,572 minority and sign language communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Linguistic Services and Language Technology

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Language Schools (611630), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bilingual/ESL/ELL & Multilingual Learner Support Tools (EDAFAOAK), English Language Learner (ELL/ESL) Academic Intervention (EDAKADAF)

Keywords

• Language development services
• Linguistic software tools
• Minority language documentation
• Orthography and literacy programs
• Scripture translation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a Christian nonprofit organization, SIL operates primarily through donations from individuals, churches, and organizations who support the mission of language development for minority language communities. The organization accepts various forms of giving including online donations, cash/check, stocks/bonds, donor-advised funds (DAF), and real estate.
2. Training and Educational Services: SIL offers training programs in linguistics, literacy, translation, and language development through partnerships with universities worldwide. Programs range from short courses to advanced degrees.
3. Publications and Resources: SIL publishes books, dictionaries, and linguistic resources through the SIL Global Publishing Services. Resources include the Ethnologue, academic publications, and software documentation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SIL International provides language development services and technology to minority language communities worldwide, including linguistic analysis, orthography and dictionary creation, literacy programs, scripture translation support, and language documentation. It also develops and distributes proprietary linguistic software (FLEx, WeSay, The Combine, Webonary, SayMore, Bloom, ScriptSource), specialized fonts and writing-systems technology, the Ethnologue language reference database, and training programs delivered through partner universities.

Product overview

SIL International operates as a global language development organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of software tools, publications, training programs, and technical services supporting minority language communities worldwide. The core offerings include the FieldWorks suite (FLEx, SayMore, Bloom) for linguistic analysis and language documentation; Webonary for online dictionary publishing; specialized fonts (Andika, SIL Fonts Collection) for minority language writing systems; and ScriptSource as a collaborative reference for writing systems. The Ethnologue serves as the flagship language catalog resource. Additional products include Lexique Pro, Pathway, and DictionaryAppBuilder for publishing dictionaries in various formats; LanguageForge and The Combine for collaborative dictionary development; and WeSay as a simplified interface for FLEx. SIL also provides extensive publications (LinguaLinks Library, Translator's Workplace), training programs through university partnerships globally, language learning curricula (English with Newcomers), lexicographic resources (Glossaries of Linguistic Terms), and community planning tools (Guide for Planning the Future of Our Language). The Writing Systems Technology team provides specialized support for complex script needs. The organization works across 119 countries with 1,572 language communities and 4,213 staff and volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ethnologue: A reference publication cataloging information about languages of the world, based on over 75 years of research. Available at ethnologue.com.
• Webonary
• FieldWorks Language Explorer (FLEx)
• ScriptSource

Products and services

• Ethnologue Comprehensive catalog of information about the languages of the world, building on over 75 years of research, providing language statistics, distribution data, and linguistic classifications.
• FieldWorks Language Explorer (FLEx) Open-source desktop application for field linguists to record and manage lexical information, configure and export dictionaries, interlinearize texts, analyze discourse features, study morphology, and collect cultural notes.
• SayMore Software for language documentation that helps users organize and manage multimedia recordings for linguistic research and language preservation.
• Bloom Book creation software designed to help language communities create reading materials in their own languages, supporting multilingual publishing.
• ScriptSource Dynamic, collaborative reference to writing systems of the world with detailed information on scripts, characters, languages, and computing support requirements.
• Andika Font A sans-serif font specially designed for literacy, optimized for clarity and readability in language learning contexts.
• SIL Fonts Collection A collection of fonts specifically designed to support minority and unwritten languages, including legacy and Unicode fonts widely used in linguistic work.
• Writing Systems Technology (WSTech) Service team exclusively dedicated to meeting complex script needs for language communities to use their preferred writing systems on computers, including keyboard and font engineering for extended Roman and Cyrillic support.
• WeSay A simplified dictionary tool with a user-friendly interface designed for inexperienced computer users, allowing basic lexicographic functions in support of dictionary databases managed in FLEx.
• The Combine Word-collection tool designed for Rapid Word Collection workshops using semantic domains, available as an internet app, on NUC servers, or on specially configured laptops for offline contexts.
• Webonary Online platform for publishing minority-language bilingual and multilingual dictionaries with search functionality and browse views. Dictionaries can be published at various stages from Rough Draft to Formally Published.
• Lexique Pro Software providing a rich browsing experience for lexicons in SFM/MDF format with three output options: print, interactive CD, and website publishing.
• Pathway Publishing software that takes Scripture translation or dictionary data and presents it in publishable forms for Open Office, InDesign, PDF, and Epub formats.
• DictionaryAppBuilder Tool for building mobile dictionary applications from lexicon data for Android and iOS deployment.
• SooSL Open-source software for creating sign language dictionaries using videos to demonstrate signs, with an indexing system based on location, handshapes, movements, and non-manuals.
• SIL Training Programs Training programs in linguistics, literacy, multilingual education, anthropology, translation, and language and culture learning, offered through partnerships with universities worldwide (e.g., Dallas International University, Canadian Institute of Linguistics, Payap University, Africa International University).
• SIL Language Development Services Comprehensive language development services for language communities and partner organizations, including dictionaries and lexicography, language assessment, language programs management, language technology, literacy and education, media development, orthography, and translation services.
• Global Sign Languages Team Services Technical services, training, and research supporting sign language communities in their language development and Scripture translation goals.
• SIL Publications Academic publications including books, ePubs, electronic working papers, journals, and series in linguistics, translation, sociolinguistics, and related fields, distributed through SIL Global Publishing Services.
• English with Newcomers English language learning curriculum based on the Growing Participator Approach, designed for assisting refugees and immigrants with 60+ lesson plans and downloadable materials.
• Glossary of Linguistic Terms A comprehensive glossary of linguistic terms developed by SIL linguists over many years, available online.
• LanguageForge Web-based dictionary-development tool that shares a data format with FieldWorks, accessible on any browser-enabled device for collaborative dictionary work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,213 staff and volunteers serving 1,572 language communities in 119 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dallas International UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Applied Linguistics Program offering training in linguistics and language development at graduate level in Dallas, Texas, USA.
• Canadian Institute of Linguistics (CanIL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining programs offered at Tyndale University (CanIL East) and Trinity Western University (CanIL West) in Canada for linguistics and language development.
• Payap UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMA Linguistics Program offered through Linguistics Institute at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, serving Asia Pacific region.
• Moorlands CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMA Language, Community and Development program at School of Language and Scripture in the UK.
• SIL AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional training program providing linguistics and language development education in the Pacific region.
• Pacific Institute of Languages, Arts and Translation (PILAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining program in Papua New Guinea, a partnership between SIL PNG and PNG Bible Translation Association.
• University of the Free StateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMA in Bible Translation Management program in South Africa.
• Bible Translation OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIL provides foundational translation resources, technical services, and training to Bible translation organizations worldwide. Works with organizations such as Wycliffe Bible Translators and others in the Bible translation movement.
• Deaf Communities and Sign Language OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local, regional and global organizations to help build capacity in sign language communities for language development and Scripture translation goals.
• Unicode ConsortiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationSIL submits proposals to the Unicode character encoding standard when new characters are needed for local languages and serves on international standards committees.
• ssk (Seminar für Sprache und Kultur)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman SIL school offering courses in Holzhausen, Germany for language and culture learning.
• Africa International UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTranslation Studies Programme at AIU in Kenya serving African region.
• Moody Bible InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApplied Linguistics Program offered in Chicago, USA.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics: MPI is a leading research institution studying language documentation, processing, and multilingualism, publishing comparable linguistic resources and overlapping with SIL on academic training and field methodology.

Direct peers

• Endangered Languages Project: Endangered Languages Project is a Google-supported collaboration between First Peoples' Cultural Council and the University of Hawaii that catalogs endangered languages worldwide, directly competing with Ethnologue for the language-data stewardship role.
• The Rosetta Project (Long Now Foundation): The Rosetta Project builds a digital archive of all documented languages, mirroring SIL's archival mission (Language & Culture Archives) and competing in the same space of long-term language data preservation.
• Global Recordings Network: GRN produces audio recordings of Scripture and language-learning materials in thousands of minority languages, sharing SIL's faith-based, Scripture-focused approach and overlapping heavily on target communities and donor base.
• Jesus Film Project: Jesus Film translates and distributes a Christian film in thousands of languages, sharing SIL's faith-based, Scripture-aligned mission and partially overlapping target communities and donor networks.
• Translators without Borders: TwB provides translation and language services for humanitarian and development contexts, sharing SIL's mission-driven, non-commercial approach to enabling marginalized language communities to access critical information in their own languages.
• Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR / SOAS): ELAR at SOAS University of London funds and archives documentation of endangered languages, closely overlapping with SIL's documentation, archiving, and training offerings for field linguists.
• Wycliffe Bible Translators: Wycliffe is the largest faith-based Bible translation organization and SIL's closest counterpart, partnering with SIL on translation projects and sharing donor networks, field staff, and training infrastructure for Scripture work in minority languages.

Others

• Linguistic Society of America: LSA is the principal professional society for linguists; SIL engages with it through academic conferences and shared researcher communities, serving adjacent ecosystem roles rather than competing directly for service delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Duolingo: Duolingo is a large commercial language-learning platform; though it serves a different (mass-market, major-language) audience, it represents the broader digital language-learning space in which SIL's literacy and English-with-Newcomers offerings sit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SIL.International
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/9784

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SIL International