UKZN aids learning with launch of Zulu apps

THE University of KwaZuluNatal launched Zulu language technologies yesterday.

The institution’s Language and Planning Development Office launched four language technologies.

Pan South African Languages Board (PanSALB) chief executive Mpho Monareng said the launched technologies should be given a platform where members of the public would enjoy using them.

The first three technologies are: Zulu spellchecker, a simple downloadable plug-in that checks Zulu spelling errors and assists one to fix them; Zulu Term Bank, a Zulu terminology resource containing a list of terms used in various education disciplines; and Zulu National Corpus, a collection of more than 20 million running words reflecting the language accessible globally.

This technology was used to train the language’s spellchecker. The Zululex Mobile app is available for downloading on Android smartphones and iPhones.

UKZN chancellor Dr Zweli Mkhize said the institution, through the launch of these technologies, was celebrating South Africa’s multilingual culture enshrined in the constitution.

“The university language plan and policy recognises the importance of languages in teaching, learning and research.

“Despite the important role that language plays in any learning process, African languages remain outside the academy. UKZN is increasingly waking up to the imperative of placing African languages in the centre of academic activity.

“The high failure and dropout rates in Africa’s education system are in part due to the fact that Africa, uniquely, is one of the few continents where children receive education in a language other than their home language.”

Finally, UKZN also launched a volume of Zulu short stories, a culmination of literature competitions.