VUT contributes to the development of Sesotho and Sepedi entrepreneurship glossary at working committee meeting
11/01/2024 | STORY. Qhawekazi Memani. PHOTO VUT.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT), through the African Languages Development Unit (ALDU), recently attended a four-day Working Committee Meeting from September 30 to October 3, 2024, at the Golden Gate Hotel in the Free State Province where they made significant contributions.
The meeting brought together language practitioners, specialists, and industry experts to create a comprehensive Sesotho and Sepedi glossary, specifically focusing on key terms and concepts related to entrepreneurship. This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing language accessibility in academic and entrepreneurial fields, supporting students and the broader community.
The primary objective of the meeting was to develop an entrepreneurship glossary that will serve as a valuable resource, ensuring essential terms are well-defined and accessible in Sesotho and Sepedi. This glossary aims to empower students and entrepreneurs by providing tools to bridge language gaps, aligning academic content with indigenous languages.
Participants worked in Sesotho and Sepedi groups, engaging in discussions enriched by the diverse expertise of language practitioners and industry specialists. The collaborative process ensured that the glossary reflects current entrepreneurial trends and best practices, while maintaining linguistic accuracy. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format, with some attendees participating in person and others joining virtually. This setup allowed for inclusive engagement, ensuring that all voices were heard. Feedback from virtual participants was seamlessly integrated into the glossary development process, further strengthening the quality of the work produced.
In addition to the glossary development, the meeting also emphasized branding efforts to reinforce the University’s image as a leader in advancing African languages in specialized fields such as entrepreneurship. These branding efforts elevated the institution’s reputation and underscored its commitment to language development in academia.
The Working Committee Meeting was a resounding success, with no significant challenges faced during the event. The collaborative dedication of all participants, including language experts and industry specialists, was instrumental in achieving the desired outcomes. With the initial draft complete, the glossary will now undergo a final in-house review process to polish the entries before being made available to students and the public.
Tebogo Mathebula, a VUT language practitioner, highlighted that the team successfully completed the initial draft of the glossary. They meticulously edited and refined each definition to ensure clarity and relevance, balancing linguistic integrity with practical applications for students and the entrepreneurial community.
This effort follows a series of workshops that the ALDU has been hosting at VUT for staff members, aimed at strengthening the use of Sesotho and Sepedi in academic contexts. These workshops have been instrumental in building a foundation for the ongoing glossary development, ensuring that language practitioners are well-equipped to contribute to such initiatives.
This initiative, in conjunction with the workshops ALDU has been hosting at VUT, represents a significant milestone in promoting African languages within academic and entrepreneurial contexts. “The entrepreneurship glossary is expected to be a valuable resource that will support learning, innovation, and business growth in Sesotho and Sepedi-speaking communities, said Ms Mathebula.