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
IntroductionThe 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 languagesSouth 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 ImplicationsSection 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 communicationbetween 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
MultilingualismThe 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 allthree 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 isgoverned 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 listspresent dispensation: multilingual term lists
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building
Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
Terminology developmentTerminology 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 qualityof 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 managementTrained terminologists should
Excerpt source language (SL) terms from relevant material (translated texts; text books; subject-related journals, …)Explain concepts in context; define termsSupply relevant terminological information Supply target language (TL) equivalentsCompile 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 termsDisseminate 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 Sciences IsiXhosa Tshivenda Sesotho Afrikaans
isiZulu Xitsonga Sesotho sa Leboa
IsiNdebele Setswana
Siswati
Multilingual terminology list (SL + TLs)
Consultation - Source Language Consultation - Target language(s)
Subject specialists Linguists Language UsersSubject specialists Linguists Language Users
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building
Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
Terminology managementDedicated software is needed for terminology managementThe compilation of a terminology list is a time-consuming taskIt is a specialized task that needs commitment and devotion from
subject specialiststrained terminologistslanguage practitioners, linguists (e.g. NLBs)
End-result:enhancement of subject areabetter / exact communicationdevelopment of languages into functional languages
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building
Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
Terminology TrainingThere 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
T h e fo l lo w in g d ia g ra m d e m o n s t ra te s th e v a r io u s re la t io n s h ip s :
C e n t r e fo rH u m a n L a n g u a g e T e c h n o lo g ie s
C e n tra l p la n n in g , c o o rd in a t io n &c o n s u lta t io n
D ig i ta l T e x t a n d S p e e c h C o rp o raA c q u is i t io n , e n h a n c e m e n t , m a n a g e m e n t
N L P S o f tw a re d e v e lo p m e n t
H L T T ra in in gN L UP
C o m p a n yA
U n iv e r s i tyD
N L UZ
U n iv e r s i tyC
G o v tD e p t B
U n iv e r s i tyA
C o m p a n yB
R e s o u rc e s a n d E x p e r t is e to fe e d in to
N a t io n a lL e x ic o g ra p h ic
U n its(N L U s )
G o v e rn m e n tD e p a r tm e n ts
H L T p ro d u c ts fo re -g o v e rn a n c e
e - le a rn in ge -c o m m e rc e
A c a d e m icre s e a rc h a n dd e v e lo p m e n t
P r iv a te s e c to rd e v e lo p m e n tIC T (H L T ) jo b
c re a t io ns o f tw a re d e v .e - c o m m e rc e
M E D IA S A B C
G o v tD e p t A
Dr M Alberts, DPLG Conference on Multilingualism and Capacity Building
Cape Town, 4 - 6 June 2008
In conclusionTerminology 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 AlbertsPanSALBPrivate Bag X08Arcadia0007Tel: 012 341 9638Fax: 012 341 5938E-mail: [email protected]