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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