Multilingual Computing & Technology in its latest edition (#61) has a piece on African language localization. Though the focus of the project described is cellphone terminology, the article may be of interest in the larger process of adapting new technologies to African contexts. And for those who don't know the magazine, that too may be of interest.
MC&T's homepage is <http://www.multilingual.com/>http://www.multilingual.com/ and there you can click on
the article to view in HTML. I copy some excerpts below, followed by the
direct link. A PDF version can be read at
<http://www.web-lingo.com/ArfricaLanguaSesWebLingo4pg.pdf>http://www.web-lingo.com/ArfricaLanguaSesWebLingo4pg.pdf .
Don Osborn Bisharat.net
"Localization in African Languages: Translators face linguistic challenges as they localize modern technology"
Russell Shanglee
Localizing high-tech devices in southern Africa comes with a unique set of challenges. South Africa is the main economic power within the region, which includes Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. South Africa alone has 11 official languages. Most of the sovereign states within southern Africa have at least three languages, often with at least one European language (English, French, German and/or Portuguese) as well. Demographics, cultures and languages of the populations of sub-Saharan countries are all factors that must be considered when adapting high-tech concepts to indigenous African languages.
Web-lingo, a localization company based in Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa, recently worked with European clients on localization of mobile phone technology. After research and discussion with the clients, the team chose five languages from the myriad of languages and dialects in the region: Afrikaans, Sesotho, Swahili, Xhosa and Zulu.
. . .
"Most of the time," says [Zulu] translator Thutukani Cele, "I am forced to use my imagination to the utmost just to make sense of what seems untranslatable into my language. This happens when I come across words that have no equivalent in Zulu. A team of us had to pioneer words within the structure of the Zulu language so that even a fairly inexperienced reader will be able to identify with them. I am proud of the results because they are more than just clear. They are precise and original.
"I am truly convinced that through deep thinking and creativity we can translate whatever terms we come across, even if the subject is beyond the available sources and vocabulary of our languages.
"It pleases me to see that the work I have done is useful to people. I often see people using their phones in Zulu, and it gives me satisfaction to know that I helped pioneer this. Here I am talking about working without sources at all in one's native language, brainstorming, consulting with colleagues and debating until one is convinced that what one has come up with is a good product."
. . .
[Sesotho translator Thabiso] Ntsielo sums up the situation for all the translators. "There is a desperate need for translation work in South Africa. Close to 50% of the population is illiterate to semi-literate. They simply cannot afford to fall behind the technological demands of today's life. I see my role in this situation as not only a communication facilitator but also as a language lobbyist, activist, educator and perhaps liberator."
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