chiShona · Shona
Live Shona interpretation for your church
Help your Shona-speaking visitors follow every word of your service, live and in their own language, from the moment they walk in.
Why Shona
Welcoming Shona speakers
Shona is the heart language of millions across Zimbabwe and neighboring lands, a people known for their warmth, song, and deep faith. When a Shona speaker can follow a service in the words of home, worship stops being something to translate in their head and becomes something they can fully enter. Welcoming them in their own tongue says that this house of God is their house too.
Including Shona speakers tells newcomers from southern Africa that they are seen and they belong, turning a visitor into a brother or sister at the table. Hospitality in someone's mother tongue is one of the kindest gifts a congregation can offer.
Who speaks it
Around 15 million speakers worldwide
Where it is spoken
Spoken mainly in Zimbabwe, with communities in Zambia, Mozambique, and the diaspora
A word of welcome
Rugare ngaruve nemi
Peace be with you
How it works
One voice in. Shona out.
Speak
Your speaker talks normally. Nothing to wear, nothing to learn.
Transcribe
Speech becomes text in real time, tuned for sermons and live settings.
Translate
Shona is translated instantly for anyone who is listening.
Hear
Listeners read live captions and hear a natural voice in Shona.
Included
What your Shona listeners receive
A natural voice
Live spoken Shona a few seconds behind the speaker, on their own phone.
Live captions
On-screen Shona subtitles to read along with, word by word.
Transcripts and recaps
A written record and a clear summary after the service, in Shona.
A place to belong
Not just translation, but the feeling of being fully part of the gathering.
Get started
Bring Shona into your church
Start free today, or send us a note and we will help you set up your first service. New churches receive $200 in free credit.
Get $200 in free credit
New churches that get in touch receive $200 in GraceTranslate credit to run their first services on us.
Prefer email? Write to hello@gracetranslate.com and we will reply within one business day.