MSU language institute to generate teaching, learning terminology in indigenous languages

MIDLANDS State University (MSU) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Victor Muzvidziwa, says the institution’s Language Institute (MSU-LI) is making a huge impact in promoting the use of constitutionally recognised languages in Zimbabwe.

Launched in 2019 with the aim of promoting linguistic diversity and multilingualism, the MSU-LI supports language development and preservation while encouraging the use of indigenous languages in education, business and Government.

It also fosters cultural heritage and identity and aligns with the country’s constitutional requirements.

Zimbabwe has 16 constitutionally recognised languages, including Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Nyanja, Shona, Sign Language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa.

Prof Muzvidziwa said this at the official launch of Indigenous Languages Elementary Science Terms Glossaries on Monday at the MSU campus in Gweru.

“This ground-breaking feat, which translates complex scientific jargon into vernacular languages, including Braille, Kalanga, Chibarwe, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa, was accomplished by the esteemed MSU National Language Institute, a prestigious language consultancy firm,” he said.

Prof Muzvidziwa emphasised the pivotal role played by the university through the MSU-LI in promoting the use of Zimbabwe’s constitutionally recognised languages.

“Through the Language Institute, MSU strives to generate terminology in our indigenous languages for use by schools in teaching and learning,” he said.

“After the launch of the Glossaries, we endeavour to create orthographies, thesauruses and dictionaries in our indigenous languages.”

The MSU Vice Chancellor further highlighted that the university is working towards the development and standardisation of orthographies of formerly marginalised languages such as ChiBarwe and Ndau.

“There are also other languages, which have lobbied for recognition in the constitution such as Chikunda. The MSU National Language Institute will take the lead in the research and development of standard orthographies for such languages,” he said.

“Today, we witness the successful completion of the first phase of the project and are ready to proceed to the next phase of the compilation of dictionaries.”

Prof Muzvidziwa said the MSU-LI has played a pivotal role in uplifting the use of the officially recognised languages in the Constitution of Zimbabwe since 2018.

“We are gathered here today with a common purpose, to witness the launch of the ground-breaking documents — the indigenous Languages Elementary Science Terms Glossaries,” he said. “MSU is committed to the Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy and the realisation of Vision 2030 in all our endeavours.”

Through the MSU-LI, Prof Muzvidziwa said MSU strives to generate terminology in our indigenous languages for use by schools in teaching and learning.

“After the launch of the glossaries, we endeavour to create orthographies, thesauruses and dictionaries in our indigenous languages.

“This will lead to the translation of selected science textbooks for use in schools to facilitate the teaching and learning of science in indigenous languages,” he said.

Prof Muzvidziwa said the institute’s mandate includes the development of orthographies of formerly marginalised languages such as ChiBarwe and creating language parks or cultural villages, which will assist in reviving languages such as Tjwao, recognised as Khoisan in the Constitution.

“The results of a research conducted recently indicate that the language might be on the verge of extinction with approximately six surviving first-language speakers in Zimbabwe,” he said.