Under the umbrella of the Language Management Week, the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages in the College of Human Sciences hosted a number of events which highlighted the importance of language, translation and diversity.

“There would no Unisa without students,” said the Department’s CoD, Professor Mtholeni Ngcobo shared these words as he was giving feedback on the Language Preference Research of Students’ study at Unisa which was motivated by the concern of students language preference for teaching and learning. The report highlighted findings that were discovered through in depth focus group discussions and students surveys with young Unisa students who speak official languages other than English.

The research used a cultural and transformative approach of inclusiveness centered on students said Professor Ngcobo, adding that the concept of language attitudes incorporates the concept of language preferences because attitudes are seen as being one of the factors that affect language.

The research study reflected the diverse preference students have on the language of learning and not all preferred to learn in their own languages, as English has become the foundation of their academic journey. “If you look at language policies in schools, they look at the transformation of English and not indigenous languages,” he said.

 Professor Ngcobo ended his presentation with the recommendations derived and motivated from the research outcomes, which included recommendations such as teaching in another language parallel to English, for example if a lecturer can teach in more than one language let them introduce the indigenous language as a way of learning.

The keynote speaker for the Language Management Week, Professor David Katan, a full professor in Translation and English language from the Univeristy of Selento, Italy, covered various topics such as the cultural dynamics of written communication, translation as intercultural communication and cultural barriers to access through abusive subtitling throughout the week. His passion for diverse culture and language translation created a vibrant environment which produced insightful content through his engagement with the audience.

“A text based message is direct, what you see is what you get but a context based message where there is more context to make a message has more meaning and different interpretations. Cultures can also be genres, so if we are poetic and we are writing poetry, the meanings will be brought to the text,” he said.

During the International Translation Day celebration themed, Translators and Interpreters bridging the gap between languages and culture, Professor Katan highlighted that translation is involving much more the mechanically matching of words and phrases of two languages.

He emphasised that to date translators do not take account of the fact that the target reader is an outsider but rather translate as if the target readers were insiders – merely reading in a different language. He elaborated that within the profession standard, there is a problem of restriction, which is damaging for the outside reader, for usability. He ended his last presentation by giving the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages gratitude for the wonderful reception into the country and he boasted about the appreciation of the African culture which he experienced throughout the Language Management Week Colloquium.

Pictured centred is Prof. David Katan (Univeristy of Selento, Italy) with staff and guests of the various Language Management Week events hosted by the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages.

* By Nomshado Lubisi (CHS communication & marketing)