Government creates tech dictionary (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Government creates tech dictionary
By ITWeb, 3 October 2005
http://mybroadband.co.za/nephp/?m=show&id=851

The government has introduced a multilingual dictionary that explains
ICT terms in nine South African indigenous languages.
 
The dictionary was one of three launched by the Department of Arts and
Culture at an event in Boksburg this week. The other two are a natural
science and a technology glossary, to be used in schools for grade one
to six pupils, and a parliamentary/political glossary.

The dictionary explains basic ICT terminologies in IsiZulu, IsiXhosa,
IsiNdebele, TshiVhenda, SiSwati, Sesotho, Sepedi, XiTsonga and Setswana.

"The idea and compilation of the dictionary into nine indigenous
languages is a revolutionary first step in this exciting journey to
massify the understanding of ICT and to enable the placement of ICT at
the centre of the people's development process for change,
transformation, economic growth and prosperity," says deputy minister
of communications, Roy Padayachie.

"In our country the language barrier and the inability to understand ICT
terminology and processes act as a deterrent," says Padayachie.

"It will become a great social force in the movement for change," he
says.

The dictionaries will be available from the Department of Arts and
Culture Web site and will also be distributed to various primary
schools for use by teachers and learners. The parliamentary/political
glossary will be distributed to translators throughout the country and
language practitioners in various legislatures in the country.

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