An enhanced terminology development and management approach for South African languages

Abstract

The study was inspired by observations made by the main researcher of how terminology is being developed and managed in South Africa. Its aim is to propose effective models and principles for terminology development and management and to eliminate the duplication of terminologies. It also recommends a mechanism for terminology project flow, which will ensure verification, authentication and standardisation. It reviews literature on language planning and policy, terminology standardisation, terminology policy, and terminology management in South Africa and internationally, namely in the European Union and African countries (Somalia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia) as well as the francophone countries, during their political transitions. The mixed methods approach that combines the techniques of both qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. After the data analysis and discussion of findings, two models were designed, namely the proposed model for collating existing terminologies (Terminology Developing Model 4) and the proposed model for future terminology development and management (Terminology Developing Model 5). Finally, two recommendations are proposed, one of which is, first and foremost, designing a National Terminology Policy, and secondly, encouraging the National Termbank (NT) to manage and store terminologies of all official South African languages effectively