Research projects

During 2004, Prof Rachélle Gauton was project leader, language manager and quality controller for the localisation (translation) of the user interface (UI) of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system into isiZulu. The project was commissioned by Microsoft, and the first phase of the project, consisting of the localisation of the UI and ‘Download Centre’, was awarded to the University of Pretoria after a tender process. The project was run under the auspices of Business Enterprises at the University of Pretoria (www.be.up.co.za) This was groundbreaking work for Prof Gauton and her dedicated team of isiZulu translators and a once–in–a lifetime chance. The experience gained proved to be invaluable. (See the article THE TRANSLATION OF THE POPULAR MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP OPERATING SYSTEM INTO ISIZULU for more details see African Languages

Members of the department of African languages, Elsabé Taljard and ms Refilwe in collaboration with members of the Foundation Year Programme in Mathematics and the Basic Sciences , are currently involved in a project undertaken by the Centre for Research in the Politics of Language (CentRePoL) , with Prof. Vic Webb the director of CentRePoL, ms Ramagoshi and mr Phillip Pare of UPFY as project leaders. The project was put out to tender by the Department of Education and focuses on the translation of the Senior Certificate question papers into the nine official African languages of SA and the effect of these translated exam papers on learner performance. Profs Gauton and Taljard are responsible for evaluating aspects related to translation and terminology respectively.

Members of the School of Languages - Prof Rachélle Gauton (isiZulu), Ms Refilwe Ramagoshi (Setswana) and Mr. Buti Skhosana (isiNdebele), all from the department of African languages, and Ms Jeanne van Dyk (French) of the department of Modern European Languages – are sub-editors for the literary e-journal, www.lingo.org.za This e-journal provides a forum for the development of South African literature, the promotion of local culture and the facilitation of cross-cultural exchange, primarily through literary translation into and out of the indigenous languages of Southern Africa.