Statistics South Africa has taken a major step towards honouring its constitutional linguistic obligation by developing a multilingual statistical terminology list in all 11 South African official languages.
As the producer of official statistics, the quality of information disseminated by Stats SA depends largely on the quality of information collected. Stats SA has therefore observed and acknowledged that most of the information is collected from different linguistic groups within the country.
Therefore a multilingual list was developed to overcome the linguistic barrier in the data collection process. This is meant to ensure that there is meaningful participation by all linguistic groups. The terminology list is intended to ease the burden of lack of equivalent terminology required for the translation of questionnaires, especially in the African languages.
The list will also enhance the quality of information collected for surveys and censuses in African languages as respondents will be able to understand the questions and give relevant responses. This will be a useful tool for fieldworkers who will be conducting census in different linguistic communities.
The terminology lists have been compiled through collaboration between experts in the language field and subject components specialists within Stats SA. The lists have been compiled and are available in print and electronic versions. They are also available via the Stats SA website: http://www.statsonline.gov.za. The hard copies and electronic copies have been distributed to some universities, especially those that have participated in the terminology development process, the National Language Services (NLS) in the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), the Pan South African Languages Board (PanSALB) and Stats SA provincial offices.
"The multilingual statistical terminology list will help us celebrate our linguistic diversity and instil pride in the speakers of these languages," said Ashwell Jenneker, Deputy Director-General of Statistical Support and Informatics.
He added: "We hope this will be the beginning of a move by all South Africans to view linguistic diversity as a resource rather than a problem".
Stats SA appreciates comments on the terminology list from speakers of these languages and other language stakeholders. The organisation acknowledges that language matters are dynamic and therefore require constant revision. This can only be achieved through partnerships between Stats SA and all stakeholders.
Media enqueries:
Trevor Oosterwyk
Tel: 012 310 8130
Cell: 082 908 9104
E-mail: trevoro@statssa.gov.za
For comments:
Nonceba Tshiki
Tel: 012 310 6939
E-mail: NoncebaT@statssa.gov.za
Issued by: Statistics South Africa
7 April 2010
Source: Statistics South Africa (http://www.statssa.gov.za/)
