Multilingualism: Training and capacity building Dr Mariëtta Alberts Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB)

Multilingualism: Training and capacity building

Dr Mariëtta AlbertsPan South African Language Board (PanSALB)

Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008

Outline of talk: Introduction

Language policy, planning and implications

Multilingualism

Terminology development

Terminology management

Terminology training

Multilingual terms for the HLT virtual network

Conclusion


Introduction

The language policy of a country influences language development.

The language policy of a country determines the number of languages to be developed, e.g. Eastern Africa: Kiswahili (various national languages) Namibia: One official language (English), 16 national

languages South Africa: 11 official languages (with special

emphasis also on the development of South African Sign Language and Khoe and San languages)


Language Policy, Planning and Implications

Section 6 of Chapter 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) declared Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, Sesotho, Siswati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, IsiNdebele, IsiXhosa and IsiZulu as official languages.

“… the state must take practical and positive measures to elevate the status and advance the use of these languages”.


The language policy promotes the equitable use of the official languages.

It accommodates linguistic diversity.

It provides a regulatory framework to facilitate the effective implementation of the constitutional obligations concerning multilingualism.

Government documents “shall be made available in all 11 official languages”.


In cases where this is not feasible, national government departments “shall publish documents simultaneously in at least 6 official languages”:

Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English

One from the Nguni group; one from Sotho group.

Result to aim for: Enhanced communication between government and citizens.

National Treasury concluded several years ago that it is possible to implement a multilingual language policy. The expenditure is relatively small compared to overall departmental budgets.


Multilingualism The concept “multilingualism” is very complex.

In Europe a different connotation is attached to the concept “multilingualism” than in Africa, i.e. Belgium three languages (Flemish, French, German) but spoken in distinctly different regions. Belgians may be fluent in all three languages – personal choice.

Multilingualism could also just mean that the European Union caters for more than one language.

In Africa several different languages are spoken within the same political and geographical areas.

It is impossible to be conversant in all these languages.


Governments need to recognize standard varieties spoken by majority groups to be declared official languages.

Languages foreign to Africa such as European languages are being used as lingua franca between the indigenous African communities.

Some of the official indigenous languages are totally neglected and left to die a natural death.

In South Africa the multilingual dispensation allows for languages to develop.


Terminology as a discipline is

governed by the language policy of the country;

at the service of the language policy of the reigning government, e.g. monolingual, bilingual or multilingual.

Compare South African situation: previous dispensation: bilingual technical

dictionaries and term lists

present dispensation: multilingual term lists


Terminology development Terminology is a strategic resource and has an

important role in a country – especially in a multilingual country.

Effective economic, scientific and technical communication skills of the citizens of a country are developed through the use of correct terminology.

Although terminological and terminographical activities are not always cost-effective, they are of invaluable cultural, social, historical, functional, academic and scientific importance.


The availability of multilingual polythematic terminology is an indicator of development.

Specialized communication has a central axle or hub in terminology.

Standardized terminology contributes to quality of translations, interpreting and subject related communication

Streamlined translation and interpreting services provide competitive advantages.

BUT: Language services need terminology!!!


The African languages can (like any other language) create terms for any concept, in Science, Technology, Economy, etc.

Polythematic terms are available in the African languages, but these terms are not documented and therefore not standardized.

Unfortunately several term variations exist for the same concept.

Cooperation is needed. Language offices should work together on similar projects – contact TCS, NLS or PanSALB for information on ongoing projects.


Terminology management Trained terminologists should

Excerpt source language (SL) terms from relevant material (translated texts; text books; subject-related journals, …)

Explain concepts in context; define terms Supply relevant terminological information Supply target language (TL) equivalents Compile a draft term list for discussion by working group

consisting of subject specialists and linguists (e.g. NLBs) Change database according to feedback

Request National Language Bodies (PanSALB) to verify and authenticate terms

Disseminate terminology to end-users (subject specialists, language practitioners, laypeople…) through term lists, CD-ROM, Intranet, Internet, …


Client

Head of Terminology Office

System Development & ResearchNeeds assessment, prioritization

Terminography SectionExcerpt SL terms

Define SL concepts

Data management & PublicationPrint dictionary SL & TLs

Terminology SectionSupply translation equivalents in TLs

Natural Sciences Life Sciences Human Sciences Commercial SciencesIsiXhosa Tshivenda Sesotho Afrikaans

isiZulu Xitsonga Sesotho sa Leboa

IsiNdebele Setswana

Siswati

Consultation - Source Language Consultation - Target language(s)

Subject specialists Linguists Language Users

Multilingual terminology list (SL + TLs)

Subject specialists Linguists Language Users


Terminology management Dedicated software is needed for terminology

management The compilation of a terminology list is a time-consuming

task It is a specialized task that needs commitment and

devotion from subject specialists trained terminologists language practitioners, linguists (e.g. NLBs)

End-result: enhancement of subject area better / exact communication development of languages into functional languages


Terminology Training There is an urgent need for trained terminologists. Terminology training is presented at SA universities

as modules for lexicography or translation studies. In-service training is needed to equip language

practitioners (terminologists, translators, editors, interpreters, …)

PanSALB provides terminology training to interested individuals, institutions, government departments, …

Basic principles and practices underpinning terminology and terminography are included in the training sessions.

The training assists with capacity building of employees.


PanSALB skills development terminology training programme

TCS, NLS, DACMultilingual polythematicnational term bank

PanSALB

National Lexicography UnitsMonolingual general dictionaries

National Language BodiesVerify and authenticate terms(need terminographic guidelines)

Re-skilling ofunemployedand otherlanguageworkers

Provincial Language Committees

Subject specialistsIndividuals, Institutions, Government departments


Multilingual terms for the HLT virtual network

SA Government has approved the development of a human language technology (HLT) virtual network.

All lexicography and terminology endeavours will be part of HLT virtual network - multilingual terms will be supplied to HLT virtual network.

Information on governmental issues will be available to end-users (subject specialists, students, language practitioners, general public) in all official languages.


The following diagram demonstrates the various relationships:

Centre forHuman Language Technologies

Central planning, coordination &consultation

Digital Text and Speech CorporaAcquisition, enhancement, management

NLP Software development

HLT TrainingNLUP

CompanyA

UniversityD

NLUZ

UniversityC

GovtDept B

UniversityA

CompanyB

Resources and Expertise to feed into

NationalLexicographic

Units(NLUs)

GovernmentDepartments

HLT products fore-governance

e-learninge-commerce

Academicresearch anddevelopment

Private sectordevelopmentICT (HLT) job

creationsoftware dev.e-commerce

MEDIASABC

GovtDept A


In conclusion Terminology development goes hand in hand

with language development. Terminology plays a pivotal role in

multilingualism – but we need trained terminologists!

A language can only become a functional language in all spheres of life if first language speakers would use their language where and whenever possible – i.e. in the working environment.

Functional official languages will enhance multilingualism!


THANK YOU!

Dr Mariëtta Alberts

PanSALB

Private Bag X08

Arcadia

0007

Tel: 012 341 9638

Fax: 012 341 5938

E-mail: [email protected]

Documents

Multilingualism: Training and capacity building Dr Mariëtta Alberts Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB)