Intellectualization of Indigenous Languages of South Africa: Translation Twists and Turns

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the intellectualization of the indigenous languages of South Africa through a translation of academic texts and using isiZulu by way of example. The intellectualization of a language means the advancement, upliftment, and enrichment of a language, enabling it for use in different domains as a language of research, science and technology, and teaching and learning. The point of departure for this paper is the value of translation as an enabler for the intellectualization of languages. Using Nord’s functionalist theory, this paper seeks to provide an overview of the process of translation of doctoral abstracts from English into isiZulu as a contribution towards the intellectualization of isiZulu at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa. The aim of this qualitative study, therefore, was to explore the intricacies involved in the journey to the intellectualization of languages that belong to different language families, specifically English and isiZulu. The data used were 12 doctoral dissertation abstracts randomly selected from a pool of abstracts from various disciplines submitted for translation from English into isiZulu at UKZN as part of the initiative of intellectualizing isiZulu. The study established an acknowledgment of the intricacies involved in the translation of academic texts and suggests possible practices to be followed to contribute successfully to the intellectualization of indigenous languages of South Africa, isiZulu in particular.