The role of terminology standardisation and harmonisation ...student.sun.ac.za/aegus/SU_CLAST/presentations/Terminology... · varieties). 4 Dr Mariëtta Alberts, ... continent are

The role of terminology The role of terminology standardisation and standardisation and

harmonisation in SADC harmonisation in SADC countriescountries

Dr MariDr Mariëëtta Albertstta AlbertsManager: Standardisation and Terminology Manager: Standardisation and Terminology

DevelopmentDevelopmentPan South African Language BoardPan South African Language Board

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Dr MariDr Mariëëtta Alberts, TermTrain, 27 tta Alberts, TermTrain, 27 -- 31 31 March 2006, SABS, Groenkloof, March 2006, SABS, Groenkloof,

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1.1. IntroductionIntroductionLexicographers, terminologists and Lexicographers, terminologists and terminographers work with standards terminographers work with standards –– albeit albeit the standard variety of a language or standards the standard variety of a language or standards as such (i.e. ISO standards).as such (i.e. ISO standards).This presentation will deal with the following This presentation will deal with the following related aspects:related aspects:

Standardisation of languagesStandardisation of languagesSpelling and orthographySpelling and orthographyISO StandardsISO StandardsModernisationModernisationHarmonisation or unificationHarmonisation or unification

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2.2. StandardisationStandardisationCrystal (1985) defines Crystal (1985) defines standardisationstandardisation as a as a natural development of a standard language natural development of a standard language in a speech community or an attempt by a in a speech community or an attempt by a community to impose one dialect as a community to impose one dialect as a standard.standard.According to Hudson (1980) standardisation According to Hudson (1980) standardisation is a direct and deliberate intervention by is a direct and deliberate intervention by society to create a standard language where society to create a standard language where before there were just before there were just ‘‘dialectsdialects’’ (non(non--standard standard varieties).varieties).

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Standardisation (cont.)Standardisation (cont.)Standard languages are usually associated with Standard languages are usually associated with prestige and cut across regional differences, providing prestige and cut across regional differences, providing a unified means of communication.a unified means of communication.

The standard language is an institutionalised norm The standard language is an institutionalised norm which can be used in mass media, economic sector, which can be used in mass media, economic sector, education, science and technology.education, science and technology.

Standardisation is necessary to facilitate Standardisation is necessary to facilitate communication, provide a uniform form for learning communication, provide a uniform form for learning material and dictionaries, and the establishment of an material and dictionaries, and the establishment of an agreed orthography and spelling rules.agreed orthography and spelling rules.

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Standardisation (cont.)Standardisation (cont.)Various nonVarious non--standard languages develop standard languages develop due to extensive contact between speakers due to extensive contact between speakers of different languages and as a result of a of different languages and as a result of a changing environment.changing environment.

The increasing use of nonThe increasing use of non--standard standard language in the classroom often has dire language in the classroom often has dire consequences for learners and for the consequences for learners and for the traditional language.traditional language.

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Standardisation (cont.)Standardisation (cont.)

It is important for the terminologist to It is important for the terminologist to consult with other dialects or languages to consult with other dialects or languages to see whether a concept is already named.see whether a concept is already named.It is much easier to coin a new term in the It is much easier to coin a new term in the relevant language according to existing relevant language according to existing terms in other language(s).terms in other language(s).In other words, make use of existing terms In other words, make use of existing terms in the standard varieties of languages and in the standard varieties of languages and their dialects.their dialects.

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Standardisation (cont.)Standardisation (cont.)Terminologists document terminology with the Terminologists document terminology with the aim of providing subject specialists and aim of providing subject specialists and laypeople with standardised terms that denote laypeople with standardised terms that denote the corresponding concepts.the corresponding concepts.

It is of the utmost importance to use It is of the utmost importance to use standardised terms in subject related work.standardised terms in subject related work.

Standardised terms ensure exact Standardised terms ensure exact communication among subject specialists communication among subject specialists themselves, but also between subject themselves, but also between subject specialists and laypeople.specialists and laypeople.

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3.3. Spelling and orthographySpelling and orthographyNew and unified spelling and orthography New and unified spelling and orthography systems should be created for the languages systems should be created for the languages selected for standardisation.selected for standardisation.Establishing well standardised, efficient and Establishing well standardised, efficient and practical spelling and orthography rules, is a practical spelling and orthography rules, is a crucial basis for developing a modern literacy crucial basis for developing a modern literacy tradition.tradition.An efficient and practical spelling and An efficient and practical spelling and orthography is a direct function of enabling orthography is a direct function of enabling educational, cultural, administrative and mass educational, cultural, administrative and mass media system in the countries concerned media system in the countries concerned (Abdulaziz, 1991).(Abdulaziz, 1991).

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Spelling and orthography (cont.)Spelling and orthography (cont.)

Lexicographers document the vocabulary Lexicographers document the vocabulary of a standard language.of a standard language.Terminographers document the Terminographers document the terminology of the standard variety of a terminology of the standard variety of a language.language.Lexicographers and terminographers Lexicographers and terminographers adhere to the spelling and orthography adhere to the spelling and orthography rules of the standard variety of a language rules of the standard variety of a language when compiling dictionaries.when compiling dictionaries.

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4.4. ISO StandardsISO Standards

South Africa established a national ISO/TC 37 South Africa established a national ISO/TC 37 committee in the field of Terminology and other committee in the field of Terminology and other language resources on 19 August 2002.language resources on 19 August 2002.

StanSA TC 37 is the local standardisation StanSA TC 37 is the local standardisation committee regarding terminology and other committee regarding terminology and other language resources.language resources.

StanSA TC 37 is a mirror committee of the StanSA TC 37 is a mirror committee of the international ISO/TC 37.international ISO/TC 37.

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ISO Standards (cont.)ISO Standards (cont.)Members of StanSA TC 37 represent South Members of StanSA TC 37 represent South Africa at the annual international ISO/TC 37 Africa at the annual international ISO/TC 37 meetings.meetings.The StanSA TC 37 team has a very valuable The StanSA TC 37 team has a very valuable role to play in deliberating at international level role to play in deliberating at international level when the standards dealing with terminology, when the standards dealing with terminology, lexicography and other language resources are lexicography and other language resources are discussed or under revision.discussed or under revision.The StanSA TC 37 team also gain valuable The StanSA TC 37 team also gain valuable experience from the international scene, which experience from the international scene, which they are able to share with their South African they are able to share with their South African colleagues.colleagues.

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ISO Standards (cont.)ISO Standards (cont.)National standards are developed by consensus National standards are developed by consensus through technical committees (TCs).through technical committees (TCs).

The TCs consists of a balanced representation of user The TCs consists of a balanced representation of user groups, interest groups, and government.groups, interest groups, and government.

The TCs represent the needs of local stakeholders.The TCs represent the needs of local stakeholders.

When dealing with standards the TCs should keep in When dealing with standards the TCs should keep in mind aspects such as:mind aspects such as:

Discipline, domain or subject areaDiscipline, domain or subject areaModern technologyModern technologyProject managementProject managementCost effectivenessCost effectiveness

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ISO Standards (cont.)ISO Standards (cont.)Developing new standards has the Developing new standards has the advantage that these standards could focus advantage that these standards could focus on addressing the needs of the users.on addressing the needs of the users.

Developing new standards is a time Developing new standards is a time consuming and costly process.consuming and costly process.

Adopting regional and international Adopting regional and international standards has the advantage of utilising standards has the advantage of utilising standards that were well researched and standards that were well researched and relatively cheap.relatively cheap.

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ISO Standards (cont.)ISO Standards (cont.)Standards can be incorporated into Standards can be incorporated into legislation by referring to them.legislation by referring to them.

Compulsory specifications can be redrafted Compulsory specifications can be redrafted as legislation.as legislation.

All standards are voluntary unless All standards are voluntary unless incorporated into legislation.incorporated into legislation.

Since standards are second to written law, Since standards are second to written law, they affect all aspects of human life.they affect all aspects of human life.

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ISO Standards (cont.)ISO Standards (cont.)ISO standardised terminology comprises of all ISO standardised terminology comprises of all terms and definitions occurring in ISO terms and definitions occurring in ISO standards.standards.

As such standards are important elements of As such standards are important elements of the teaching and training of subject related the teaching and training of subject related topics.topics.

The initiation phase into any specialised field The initiation phase into any specialised field or domain goes through the learning of its or domain goes through the learning of its main concepts, the definitions describing main concepts, the definitions describing these concepts and the terms denoting them.these concepts and the terms denoting them.

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5.5. ModernisationModernisationNo living language is static. A living language No living language is static. A living language change and therefore it needs to be modernised.change and therefore it needs to be modernised.

Modernisation entails that the spelling and Modernisation entails that the spelling and orthography rules of a language need to be revised orthography rules of a language need to be revised on a regular basis.on a regular basis.

An orthography is to literacy what numeration is to An orthography is to literacy what numeration is to numeracy (EN Emenanjo, 1998)numeracy (EN Emenanjo, 1998)

Language modernisation is a coLanguage modernisation is a co--operative venture operative venture between government agencies (i.e. language between government agencies (i.e. language bureaux) and the speakers of the language.bureaux) and the speakers of the language.

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6.6. HarmonisationHarmonisationNearly all the countries in the African Nearly all the countries in the African continent are multilingual nations.continent are multilingual nations.

This plethora of languages in one country has This plethora of languages in one country has posed formidable challenges to national posed formidable challenges to national development, national stability, sociodevelopment, national stability, socio--economic advancement, and sound economic advancement, and sound educational policies.educational policies.

Multilingualism has a vital influence on the Multilingualism has a vital influence on the creation of polythematic terminology for all creation of polythematic terminology for all SADC countries. SADC countries.

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Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation (cont.)In language planning jargon, In language planning jargon, harmonisationharmonisation is used synonymously is used synonymously with with unificationunification (T Msimang, 1998).(T Msimang, 1998).(Unification) seeks to construct a common (Unification) seeks to construct a common language for such a dialectlanguage for such a dialect--group by group by employing as much as possible, forms employing as much as possible, forms which are common to all of the variants in which are common to all of the variants in the group, and, where this is not possible, the group, and, where this is not possible, by the use of forms common to the by the use of forms common to the predominant majority; or in previouslypredominant majority; or in previously--attained literary formsattained literary forms (Lestrade, 1935)(Lestrade, 1935)

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Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation (cont.)In harmonisation a number of dialects belonging to In harmonisation a number of dialects belonging to the same language group are unified so as to the same language group are unified so as to produce one common language.produce one common language.In this process variant forms between dialects are In this process variant forms between dialects are neutralised or harmonised in the common language neutralised or harmonised in the common language (e.g. Ngwato, Ngwaketsi, and Setswana to form (e.g. Ngwato, Ngwaketsi, and Setswana to form Standard Setswana).Standard Setswana).The phenomenon of harmonisation can also occur The phenomenon of harmonisation can also occur between languages (e.g. IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, SiSwati, between languages (e.g. IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, SiSwati, IsiNdebele). They too could be harmonised to IsiNdebele). They too could be harmonised to produce one common language (e.g. Standard produce one common language (e.g. Standard Nguni).Nguni).

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Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation (cont.)Nguni and Sotho cultural languages have a sizeable Nguni and Sotho cultural languages have a sizeable core of common vocabularies.core of common vocabularies.It would be ideal if they also had a common pool of It would be ideal if they also had a common pool of technical vocabularies.technical vocabularies.It will then not be necessary to coin a separate term It will then not be necessary to coin a separate term for IsiNdebele, SiSwati, IsiXhosa and IsiZulu (Nguni for IsiNdebele, SiSwati, IsiXhosa and IsiZulu (Nguni group) or for Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, Sesotho group) or for Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, Sesotho (Sotho group).(Sotho group).A team of terminologists for all the Nguni languages A team of terminologists for all the Nguni languages and another team for all the Sotho languages could and another team for all the Sotho languages could work together when denoting concepts.work together when denoting concepts.

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Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation (cont.)Terminology can be regarded as an artificial Terminology can be regarded as an artificial language.language.To introduce harmonisation/unification in the To introduce harmonisation/unification in the terminology process will not be a foreign principle terminology process will not be a foreign principle or practice.or practice.Since terminology is mainly interested in written Since terminology is mainly interested in written language the principles of harmonisation can be language the principles of harmonisation can be applied here (adhere to spelling and orthography applied here (adhere to spelling and orthography rules of each language).rules of each language).Terms will be nationally recognisable Terms will be nationally recognisable –– it will it will consist of the basic stem with language specific consist of the basic stem with language specific adjustments, but with the same or similar adjustments, but with the same or similar phonemic shape.phonemic shape.

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Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation (cont.)

In order to harmonise and standardise In order to harmonise and standardise these dialects or languages the problem these dialects or languages the problem should be addressed atshould be addressed at

the politicalthe political

the sociothe socio--linguistic, andlinguistic, and

the linguistic levelsthe linguistic levels

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Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation is closely related to Harmonisation is closely related to standardisation.standardisation.

By harmonising or unifying one is actually By harmonising or unifying one is actually standardising.standardising.

Standardisation and harmonisation both Standardisation and harmonisation both involve a direct and deliberate intervention by involve a direct and deliberate intervention by the linguistic society to create a neutral the linguistic society to create a neutral variety.variety.

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Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation is a very sensitive issue in the Harmonisation is a very sensitive issue in the South African context.South African context.Linguistic Nguni nationalism will not affect the Linguistic Nguni nationalism will not affect the political status of a distinct Ndebele nation, political status of a distinct Ndebele nation, Swazi nation, Xhosa nation or Zulu nation. As Swazi nation, Xhosa nation or Zulu nation. As will Sotho nationalism not affect the political will Sotho nationalism not affect the political status of a distinct South Sotho nation, Northern status of a distinct South Sotho nation, Northern Sotho nation or Tswana nation.Sotho nation or Tswana nation.Linguistic stakeholders often fail to make a Linguistic stakeholders often fail to make a distinction between linguistic nationalism and distinction between linguistic nationalism and political nationalism.political nationalism.

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Harmonisation (cont.)Harmonisation (cont.)With the South African multilingual With the South African multilingual dispensation the rapid development of the dispensation the rapid development of the separate Nguni and Sotho languages is such separate Nguni and Sotho languages is such as to make harmonisation no longer possible.as to make harmonisation no longer possible.

The official South African languages are being The official South African languages are being developed into functional languages in all developed into functional languages in all spheres of human activity.spheres of human activity.

Terminology development could, however, Terminology development could, however, benefit from harmonisation efforts.benefit from harmonisation efforts.

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7.7. ConclusionConclusionStandardisation comprises a whole world of activities Standardisation comprises a whole world of activities in various spheres of life which helps creating benefits in various spheres of life which helps creating benefits and sustainability for everyone in the global society.and sustainability for everyone in the global society.The issue of standardisation of African languages over The issue of standardisation of African languages over the whole African continent has been the central quest the whole African continent has been the central quest for the development of these languages as modern for the development of these languages as modern vehicles of science, technology, education, vehicles of science, technology, education, administration and literacy expansion.administration and literacy expansion.The languages which have been selected as The languages which have been selected as standards have already been committed to writing. To standards have already been committed to writing. To harmonise and standardise them, there is an urgent harmonise and standardise them, there is an urgent need for modernisation and spelling and orthography need for modernisation and spelling and orthography reform.reform.

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The terminologies of the official languages The terminologies of the official languages should be developed to enhance the should be developed to enhance the multilingual heritage of a country.multilingual heritage of a country.When there are too many languages this When there are too many languages this might not be practical and economically might not be practical and economically viable.viable.In such a situation harmonisation could be In such a situation harmonisation could be beneficial to terminology.beneficial to terminology.The principles and practice of the The principles and practice of the harmonisation of terminologies should, harmonisation of terminologies should, however, be studied carefully.however, be studied carefully.

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To me harmonisation seems to be a natural To me harmonisation seems to be a natural process process –– it should not be enforced.it should not be enforced.

Language planners should make linguists Language planners should make linguists aware of a phenomenon such as aware of a phenomenon such as harmonisation/unification.harmonisation/unification.

They could advocate the advantages or They could advocate the advantages or disadvantages of such a phenomenon.disadvantages of such a phenomenon.

The test of harmonisation, however, lies with The test of harmonisation, however, lies with the language users.the language users.

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On the one hand you have an awakening of On the one hand you have an awakening of linguistic nationalism linguistic nationalism –– renewed pride, dignity renewed pride, dignity and appreciation of the motherand appreciation of the mother--tongue (first tongue (first language).language).On the other hand there is a disquieting On the other hand there is a disquieting movement towards the eradication of linguistic movement towards the eradication of linguistic differences since they enshrine ethnicity which differences since they enshrine ethnicity which could be regarded as a stumbling block in the could be regarded as a stumbling block in the way of nation building (Louwrens 1996).way of nation building (Louwrens 1996).The terminologist cannot turn a blind eye to The terminologist cannot turn a blind eye to these developments, since whatever course the these developments, since whatever course the future is going to take, it will directly affect the future is going to take, it will directly affect the work of the terminologist.work of the terminologist.

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Irrespective of how well trained and resourceful Irrespective of how well trained and resourceful terminologists may be, and irrespective of how terminologists may be, and irrespective of how elegant and sophisticated the set of terms they elegant and sophisticated the set of terms they create, large scale term creation will remain a create, large scale term creation will remain a wasteful endeavour unless the endwasteful endeavour unless the end--product is product is going to be appreciated and utilised fully by the going to be appreciated and utilised fully by the subject specialists and language practitioners.subject specialists and language practitioners.

Appreciation for terminology should emanate Appreciation for terminology should emanate from the language users themselves, since one from the language users themselves, since one can never succeed by forcing terminology, a can never succeed by forcing terminology, a language or language variety onto its speakers.language or language variety onto its speakers.

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Harmonisation or unification means various things Harmonisation or unification means various things to various people:to various people:

the merging of a number of dialects to form a single the merging of a number of dialects to form a single common language;common language;the merging of a number of languages belonging to the merging of a number of languages belonging to the same group to form one standard variety;the same group to form one standard variety;harmonising only spelling and orthographies;harmonising only spelling and orthographies;harmonising scientific and technical terms (language harmonising scientific and technical terms (language for special purposes).for special purposes).

The latter is the most desirable and achievable The latter is the most desirable and achievable possibility.possibility.

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Thank you!Thank you!Dr MariDr Mariëëtta Albertstta AlbertsPanSALBPanSALBPrivate Bag X08Private Bag X08ARCADIA 0007ARCADIA 0007South AfricaSouth Africa

[email protected]@pansalb.org.zaTel:Tel: +27 (0)12 341 9638+27 (0)12 341 9638Fax:Fax: +27 (0)12 341 5938+27 (0)12 341 5938

mailto:[email protected]

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The role of terminology standardisation and harmonisation ...student.sun.ac.za/aegus/SU_CLAST/presentations/Terminology... · varieties). 4 Dr Mariëtta Alberts, ... continent are