Johannes and Sharon Merz

As ethnologists, we learn from people and wish to promote interpersonal understanding across social, geographical, and organisational boundaries. We do this through consulting, training, mentoring, lecturing, and publishing.

We regularly teach ethnology for SIL International’s International Media Services and in online courses. In addition, we lead and coordinate SIL International’s Ethnology Department. In doing so, we promote ethnology across all of SIL International’s activities and collaborate with other ethnologists.

Collaboration on the Mbelime language project, Benin, West Africa:

In cooperation with local coworkers, we are working on a Mbelime-French dictionary, producing literature in Mbelime, and supporting literacy and Bible translation.