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
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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)
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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”.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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”.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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!!!
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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, …
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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.
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
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!
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
THANK YOU!
Dr Mariëtta Alberts
PanSALB
Private Bag X08
Arcadia
0007
Tel: 012 341 9638
Fax: 012 341 5938
E-mail: [email protected]