Remodelling Institutional Translation. An African Perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 111-124
Author(s):  
Emmanuel KOBENA KUTO
Keyword(s):  
Low Literacy ◽  
Practice Model ◽  
European Languages ◽  
Official Languages ◽  
African Perspective

The combination of ethnolinguistic fragmentation, the use of European languages as official languages and low literacy rates make institutional translation indispensable in Africa. Africa literally lives by translation. However, recent studies have highlighted the paradox of (institutional) translation in Africa: no continent needs institutional translation more than Africa and yet no continent translates less than Africa. This paper argues that deficit is not the only problem with institutional translation in Africa. In addition to the inadequacy of institutional translation, its practice model is both Eurocentric and institution-centred, and therefore not suited to the specificities of Africa. A number of principles are advanced that altogether constitute an alternative practice model of institutional translation for Africa.

scholarly journals Komunikacja językowa w osiemnastowiecznych francuskich wyprawach naukowych do Laponii, Peru i Afryki Południowej

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4(54)) ◽  
pp. 33-49
Author(s):  
Marzena Chrobak
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Scientific Discourse ◽  
Short Stay ◽  
European Languages ◽  
Official Languages ◽  
Local Languages

Interlingual Communication during French Scientific Expeditions to Lappland, Peru and South Africa in the 18th Century In this paper, I try to outline the image of the interlingual communication during scientific expeditions by detecting and analysing remarks about such instances in the narratives by the expeditions’ commanders. I analyse a narrative of Maupertuis on his geodesic mission to Lappland (1734- 1735), two narratives of La Condamine on his geodesic mission to Peru (1735-1743), and two narratives of Le Vaillant on his travels across South Africa (1781-1784). During his short stay in Lappland, Maupertuis was assisted by a Swedish astronomer and by a Laponian, both speaking French and Finnish. La Condamine and Le Vaillant learned local languages (Spanish, Quechua; Hottentot, Namaqua) in order to eliminate the intermediation of an interpreter. In linguistically fragmented areas, they worked with random natural interpreters. French scientists also made use of the native inhabitants’ familiarity with European languages: official languages of the colonies (Spanish in Peru, Dutch in South Africa) and French, the language of social, cultural and scientific discourse in the 18th century, which they acquired for pleasure.

scholarly journals Hungarian place names from a Moroccan perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Malak Alasli
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Place Names ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Standard Arabic ◽  
Arabic Speakers ◽  
Road Signs ◽  
European Languages ◽  
Official Languages ◽  
Dialectal Arabic ◽  
Official Status

Abstract. Hungarian, or "Magyar", is a Finno-Ugric language that is different from the other European languages. Despite existing within an Indo-European environment and experiencing some Latinization (Indo-Europeanization), it has retained its distinct characteristics. Nevertheless, it also has some linguistic features, such as a phonetic structure that carries no specific sounds that cannot be easily uttered by a French, Italian, German, or English speaker, rendering it relatively easier for speakers of some Indo-European languages. On the other hand, Morocco has a multilingual environment, with Standard Arabic and Berber (Amazigh) as official languages, along with French and dialectal Arabic. Thus, the coexistence of these languages allowed for a bilingual representation of place names; an Arabic endonym and a French exonym. Both variants hold an official status and are used in maps and road signs. Therefore, the goal of this study is to record Moroccans' pronunciation of Hungarian place names. It is worth investigating whether such Arabic speakers with French knowledge will have difficulty reading the Hungarian toponyms and what is the reasoning behind such difficulty.

Implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on the Development of Indigenous Languages of South Africa

2022 ◽  
pp. 152-161
Author(s):  
Mokgale Makgopa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Indigenous Languages ◽  
African Countries ◽  
African Languages ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
European Languages ◽  
African Renaissance ◽  
Official Languages ◽  
Communication Culture

Indigenous languages are the carriers of the communication, culture, and identity. It is through language that one expresses one's thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Unfortunately, colonialism created serious problems and obstacles in the development of African indigenous languages. European languages are used in Africa, rated as official languages of African countries while indigenous languages are sidelined and marginalized. Africa's own vision of decolonization, self-realization, and African Renaissance will always be a dream if African languages don't reclaim their rightful position in Africa. Intellectual decolonization is prudent for the realization of emancipation of the indigenous languages.

scholarly journals Electronic Dictionaries viewed from South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (34) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Danie J. Prinsloo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Bantu Languages ◽  
Northern Sotho ◽  
Electronic Dictionary ◽  
Unique Nature ◽  
Official Languages ◽  
African Perspective

The aim of this article is to evaluate currently available electronic dictionaries from a South African perspective for the eleven official languages of South Africa namely English, Afrikaans and the nine Bantu languages Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga and Venda. A brief discussion of the needs and status quo for English and Afrikaans will be followed by a more detailed discussion of the unique nature and consequent electronic dictionary requirements of the Bantu languages. In the latter category the focus will be on problematic aspects of lemmatisation which can only be solved in the electronic dictionary dimension.

scholarly journals Less commonly taught languages at EUROCALL: what has changed over the years?

2021 ◽  
pp. 285-289
Author(s):  
Monica Ward
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
European Languages ◽  
The World ◽  
Official Languages ◽  
The Eu

The world of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is dominated by English, and to a lesser extent, French, Spanish, and German. While these languages are the main focus of EUROCALL conferences, there has always been a presence of Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs) at these conferences. Most of the official languages of the EU and European languages more generally have been discussed by CALL researchers at EUROCALL conferences, but some languages have yet to make an appearance. There have also been presentations on other LCLTs outside of Europe, including Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, and less widely spoken languages such as Thai and Nahuatl. This paper looks at the presence of LCTLs at EUROCALL conferences since 1993 and reflects on what has changed over the years. It notes the importance of the conference location on the languages discussed at the conference and the role of EU projects in supporting LCTLs.

Low Literacy Limits Drug Label Comprehension

2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (24) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
ALICIA AULT
Keyword(s):  
Low Literacy ◽  
Drug Label
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