Growing our own: isiZulu Terminology Development / Sithuthukisa ulimi lwethu:

Nowadays, authors are spoiled for choice regarding what to write about. Many a times they aspire to write about new concepts whose words might not exist yet in the language they are writing in. Besides creative writing, a lot of translation of scientific and academic documents is done. During the translation process, translators are compelled to develop new terminology. This does not happen randomly but follows a systematic process. Gugu Mazibuko, an isiZulu language and culture specialist and terminology development specialist, chats to Khumbulani Mngadi, Acting Director of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Language Planning and Development Office and an independent columnist about the terminology development process.  Winnie Ngongoma from eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality who works with text everyday shares her experience in addressing lexical gaps and creating new terminology.

Esikhathini samanje, sithola ababhali bebhekene nenqwaba yezihloko nezindikimba abangabhala ngazo. Ukuthuthuka komhlaba kuletha izinto ezintsha ezinamagama angekho olimini lolo umbhali afisa ukulusebenzisa ekubhaleni. Ngaphandle nje kokubhalwa kwemisebenzi yobuciko, miningi imibhalo ehunyushwayo emayelana nezesayensi kanye nezemfundo jikelele. Lapha-ke ababhali nabahumushi bayaphoqeleka ukuba baqambe amagama amasha. Lokhu kuqamba akuvele kwenziwe nje noma kanjani, kepha kulandela uhlelo oluthile. UGugu Mazibuko, ungoti kwezolimi lwesiZulu namasiko kanjalo nokuqanjwa kwamagama, uxoxisana noKhumbulani Mngadi, umqondisi ehhovisi lenyuvesi yaKwaZulu-Natal Lokuhlelwa Nokuthuthukiswa Kolimi, ophinde abe ngumlobi wezindaba ozimele. UWinnie Ngongoma ovela ehhovisi likaMasipala, eThekwini Metropolitan, omsebenzi wakhe wansukuzonke ugxile ekubhaleni nasekukhiqizeni imibhalo enhlobonhlobo, wabelana nathi mayelana nokubhekana nezinkinga zokuntuleka kwamagama ashaya emhloleni kanye nokuqamba amagama amasha.