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Africa is indeed a huge continent!  As a result, Africa has more languages and dialects than any other continent. It is estimated that there are more than 3000 languages spoken in Africa alone hence making it a sea of languages.

Besides, Africa is the second largest and most populous continent in the earth after Asia with over 1 billion people and over 52 countries and a home to the highest cultural diversities in the world

The major languages in the African continent include; Swahili, Arabic, French and English. Arabic is the fifth most spoken language in the world with over 240 million speakers worldwide (ethnologue) and one of the most spoken languages in Africa, mostly in North Africa. In Africa alone, there are over 100 million Arabic speakers with the majority in Egypt. Besides, it is also the most widespread official language in Africa , spoken in countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan , Morocco, among others with the majority in North Africa and the Sahel region.

Besides Arabic, English is also widely spoken on the continent and used as the official language in most of the continent. It is spoken in South Africa with majority of native speakers, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Zambia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Nigeria, Rwanda, Gambia, Namibia, Mauritius , Liberia, Lesotho, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana, Botswana, among others.

As a result of the above, seeking professional translation services in Africa becomes a matter of necessity for all organizations working on the continent. The Translation services may include Document translation, interpretation services (Simultaneous interpretation, Consecutive interpretation and Whispered interpretation), audio and video transcription services among other related services. This however is also possible with the availability of professional language practitioners in the continent with vast experience offering the aforementioned translation services.

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Uganda, a country in  East Africa has a total population of about 40 million people according to 2010 population census. The country has numerous dialects totaling to about 45 spoken across the four regions of Northern, South, East and West. However, some of the dialects are at the verge of extinction.

Over the years, there have been reports of a number of endangered Ugandan tribes and dialects in some parts of the country. Such as Kebu, IK, Talinga- Bwisi and Kenyi

Kebu, Kebutu, or Ndo Oke’bu is a community living in West Nile sub region of Uganda and it is said to be the most endangered community in Uganda.

In April 2018 in Zombo district, Mr Ephraim Waringu, the Thebiz  of Kebu Rigangi ( Kebu cultural institution) urged the Kebu people (his subjects) to value their culture and speak their language. He said in so doing, it will help to preserve the culture of already endangered language. Though a recognized language in the Ugandan Constitution, it is said to be endangered with most of its speakers getting diffused in other languages such as Alur, Lugbara and Madi.

The Kebu are a minority tribe occupying parts of Kango, Zeu, Alangi, and Akaa sub counties in West Nile sub region at the border with the DR Congo.

Despite the above, a few conceited efforts are being made in order to save the Kebu language. The most common event being the Annual cultural convention that usually attracts the Kebu from Democratic Republic of Congo, Bunyoro Sub region, Arua and the surrounding areas. In fact, in 2018 annual cultural festival, the theme was “Kebu londa uru” which literary translated means “Kebu do not be afraid, wakeup” This shows the urgency required to save the language from extinction.

Other efforts that are being made to save the Kebu language include; Seeking recognition with government as a fully-fledged cultural institution, and Seeking inclusion in media broadcasting. Unlike major languages in the country such as Luganda, Ateso, Runyakitara, Lusoga, Adhola, Acholi, Lango, Lugbara and Lumasaba, the Kebu language has very few incentives that could help to save it from extinction.

It is not  even clear if the Kebu people have a Kebu Bible Translation, although this is something that can be done professionally.

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One of the renowned Kenyan Academics the late Professor J. M Nyasani whom the author of this article happens to have been his student once said “if you have appointment, make sure you arrive there latest 5 minutes to the designated time” He boasted of how he learnt time management while studying his PhD at the University of Cologne in Germany. In his book titled “ Philosophy of Development” published in 2012 , he argues that time management is an indication of development in an individual.

Professor Nyasani emphasized that time management is absolutely important and an essential aspect in judging one’s maturity. He always kept his word and ensured that he would be in a lecture hall or within the premises at least 5 minutes earlier.

When hiring the services of an interpreter, clients often pay for two things i.e Quality services and time. For the years I have been in the industry, this fact is undoubtedly true. Most clients inquire for professional services within a given period of time. The implication is that they require professional interpretation services within a given period of time and are willing to pay for a quality service within on time.

I recently got an inquiry from one of our clients, a reputable organization in the United Kingdom requesting us to supply a French Interpreter during their meeting in Entebbe. Upon agreeing on the payment terms, they sent a contract for the services. One of the clauses in the contract indicated as follows “ …. Reserves the right to make a deduction from the agreed amount if the interpreter fails to perform his duties within the given time or if he fails to turn up on time without prior information… and Igloos Consultancy Services, the supplier agrees to provide professional services at the said venue and time while pledging that the interpreter shall be available at the venue within the agreed time…” This implies that the client would only pay the agreed amount after the services have been offered within the agreed time and dates.

Imagine hiring the services of an interpreter who is a poor time manager. The outcome of such engagement is discouragement, inconvenience and NEVER to come back. The retainer effect is lost and this obviously puts the business in disrepute. Time management in an interpretation assignment is synonymous to professional work. One cannot boast of being a professional interpreter without being a good time manager. In fact, even if one attained training as an interpreter but failed to be a good time manager while executing their duties, their professional training becomes a matter of discussion and doubt because one would argue that time management should be an aspect during the training.

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The difference between Juba Arabic and Classic Arabic or Sudanese Arabic is a thing worthy knowing. South Sudan, also known as the Republic of South Sudan gained her independence from Sudan on the 9^th of July 2011 in a ceremony which was witnessed by several world leaders and diplomats. It came as an outcome of the 2005 agreement that ended the then Africa’s longest civil war.

The brain behind the independence though, Dr John Garang did not himself taste the fruits of the struggle when he died in 2005 a few years before independence in a chopper crush of the Ugandan president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Born on 25^th .June 1945, Garang later led the Sudan People’s Liberation Army during the second Sudanese civil war which later led to peace talks and eventual independence of South Sudan from Khartoum. The independence from Khartoum came with its own challenges as the independence did not enjoy peace for a long time. It was in a short period that the world could witness any emergence of several other rebel groups seeking to overthrow the government in the new republic.

The independence from Sudan did not only come along with politics but with a cultural identity which became clearer after independence. Juba Arabic, a South Sudan dialect of Arabic named after the South Sudan capital Juba became commonly used in the public domain and in different social arenas . Juba Arabic, also known as South Sudanese Arabic is a lingua franca spoken mainly in the equatorial of South Sudan. The language derives from the pidgin based on the Sudanese Arabic. What is interesting about Juba Arabic is that it has simplified grammar and influence of the South Sudan languages mostly in the southern part of the country.

The difference between Juba Arabic and Classic Arabic or the Sudanese is that the former follows the English Alphabet/ Latin Script while the latter follows strictly the Arabic Alphabet with no alterations. Juba Arabic has alternate names such as Pidgin Arabic and Southern Sudan Arabic with an estimated 800,000  Speakers.

Additionally Juba Arabic is widely spoken in Central Equatorial, East Equatorial, Western Equatorial states, North Bahr al Ghazal, West Bahr al Ghazal and Upper Nile states of South Sudan. The language is basically classified as Creole Arabic based hence the difference between Juba Arabic and Classic Arabic can also be clearly seen from the distinct language families.

It is therefore important to note the difference between the two dialects or languages.  When seeking Professional Translation Services , this has to be clear Otherwise, one may end up with a wrong translation for a right audience.

 

 

 

Ateso/ teso language and Karimojong / Ngakarimojong look similar but different. It is worthy deciphering the difference between Ateso and Karimojong languages . Understanding the difference between Ateso and Karimojong languages is necessary for everyone in the translation industry and to the historians. It is important to note that there is an underlying difference between the two languages though they are mutually intelligible .

Karimojong is an Eastern Nilotic language natively spoken by the Karimojong people of North eastern Uganda. It is mostly spoken in Karimoja sub- region in the districts of Kotido, Moroto and among others by atleast 470,000 people in the country.

Ateso like Karimojong is an Eastern Nilotic language natively spoken by the Iteso people of Uganda and Kenya who are believed to have migrated from Abyssinia (present Ethiopia) among the Habesha people of the Solomonid Dynasty of the present day Ethiopia and moved western direction and later settled in western Kenya and Eastern Uganda.

The language is part of the Turkana cluster and it is spoken by about 1.57 million people in Uganda and 279,000 in Kenya as per 2002 population census. Additionally, the language is widely spoken in Teso Sub-region in districts of Kumi, Soroti, Kaberamaido, Serere, Amuria, Bukedia, Tororo, Katakwi, Ngora, Bugiri, Pallisa , Busia  and in western  Kenya.

It is also important to point out that these two languages being of the same family, are mutually intelligible and also related to languages like; Dodoth and  Jiey in Uganda, Turkana and Tesyo of Kenya, and Jiye and Toposa in South Sudan. So the difference between Ateso and Karimojong is slighter and can be stretched way back in history of migration and settlement of Iteso and the Karimojong people.

Historically, the Iteso and Karimojong during migration and settlement moved together as a single group (Jie). However in the process, they split into several groups of which one moved to Kenya and gave birth to Kalenjin and Maasai people in Kenya whereas others moved west words and dispersed into several groups of Iteso, Dodoth, Jie and Kumam of Uganda, Turkana of Kenya, and Toposa and Jiye of South Sudan. It is believed that some of them lagged behind and settled while others further moved to western direction. Those who lagged behind were named ‘Ikar  imojong’ meaning ‘the elders can move no further’ who later came to be known as Karimojong and spoke language called Karimojong, whereas those who continued further to southern and western directions were named ‘Atesina’ meaning graves and this group is the present day Iteso who speak Ateso / Teso.

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As your business grows bigger there shall be an absolute need to incorporate professional translation services into it hence the value of incorporating professional translation services into your business cannot be underestimated. Even though your business doesn’t have an international spectrum, there still arises an urgent need for translation services because once your brand is translated into different languages, then the new clients are attracted to your business. For many times new clients may need to access your brand but due to limited public outreach in different languages the whole matter is faulted. You may wonder the value of incorporating professional translation services into your business to but here are some of the benefits.

Business expansion possibilities; You may wonder how translation services can help expand your business but this is absolutely possible with exceptional value. Once you have translated all your business materials such as, websites, adverts and different brands into several languages, it exposes your business to those markets which you would have otherwise lost due to language barrier. For example; if your adverts are made in French, most of the French people who may had never heard about your products may  be attracted to them than if the translation wasn’t not provided. In so doing you will be widening your market base.

Boosting communication; incorporating translation services into business is one of the best ways of enhancing general communication in your company both internally and externally depending on the coverage. For example hiring a translation company with professional and experienced translators to supply your company with translation services guarantees accuracy. This therefore helps for effective publicity in your business.

Reduces overworking the Bi-lingual employees; You may have some of your employees who understand at least two languages that you may ask to provide translation services whenever need arises though it may not be within their job description. This usually makes them feel bothered especially if it is not a paid service and moreover they may not be professional translators. In the process, they may do the work but poorly due to lack of interest or incompetence hence incorporating translation services makes work easier since everyone will perform their duties which they are competent in.

Limits dependency on Online Translation; Relying on Google translate for translation is inappropriate and inaccurate way of handling translation. By hiring professional translation services, you see the real value of incorporating professional translation services you’re your business through the positive results.

 

By Thomas Eliot

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From the client perspective, when having African languages translation needs, hiring a freelance translator may seem easy but hiring African  translation agency over a freelance translator definitely helps to have unprecedented boost in the African market.

Africa is a continent with diverse cultural identities and languages ranging 1900 to 2000. This portrays the diversity and cultural immensity on the African continent hence to have business penetrate into the African market, hiring African translation agency over a freelance translator could be beneficial in reaching out to the target audience in their tongues and this can best be done through translation of the message from the source language to the native African language or vice versa.

It is therefore incumbent upon the policy makers, investors and all potential business makers on the African continent to identify reliable agencies for African professional translation services that suit their specific needs while capturing the identity and cultural identities in a given language.

Benefits of Hiring African  translation agency over a freelance translator

Good project management is an essential factor in any professional work. By hiring a professional agency, you can be sure of your project being handled by a right person who is well versed with the industry requirements and processes. There are well laid our structures in terms of human resource and quality assurance strategies to see to it that a client gets the best and that each client is handled individually while catering for their individual needs. Besides, there are several steps followed before work gets submitted to the client. These steps are aimed at ensuring that work is error free and is in line with the client requirements.

Professional agencies have stringent translator / interpreter recruitment policies to see to it that only competent translators are assigned to undertake every client’s project. The translators and interpreters are usually native speakers with both professional training and experience in the respective industry fields in which they are translators/ interpreters. As a result, a professional linguist is familiar with the industry terminology and all the minute details that are required to perform his/her work with competence and accuracy. Besides, native speakers are familiar with the culture, geography, unique characteristics and several other characteristics peculiar to a given language

Additionally, before work is submitted to the client, it is carefully proofread by an independent source to check if the work is accurately translated and if not advise accordingly and make recommendations. He/ she checks the spelling, grammar, context, cultural bits and all the necessary edits for quality work.

It is no doubt that an African based translation agency has a bigger mantle to provide culturally befitting translation services. The familiarity with the indigenous languages and culture, access to competent resources are some of the outstanding advantages.

By: Susan Oyugu

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Runyakitara is a common word used by language practitioners most importantly those engaged in the study of Ugandan languages and in the translation industry hence understanding Runyakitara and what it actually means is worthy deciphering.

Clients in the translation industry are fond of asking for Runyakitara translation services but the question is does such a single language actually exist? Does Runyakitara exist as a single language or what exactly is it?

Simply put, Runyakitara is a name given to the four major languages spoken in Western Uganda namely, Runyankore, Rukiga, Rutooro and Runyoro. The four languages are closely related to each other and speakers are able understand one another in both written and spoken forms. However, there are differences in some words inform of spelling, meaning and pronunciation.

It is also important to note that the dialects can better be understood in the following categories or pairs ; Runyankore – Rukiga , Rutooro – Runyoro. This implies that a speaker of Runyankore can better understand a Rukiga speaker and Rutooro for Runyoro and vice versa .

Just as Lwo in Uganda which is a name given to the family of several dialects such as Acholi, Lango, Adhola, Alur and Kumam , Runyakitara is a broad name that defines/ describes the four main languages of western Uganda.

Basing on the above, it is therefore important to assert that there is no single language called Runyakitara or Lwo. These are classes of languages, having a number of dialects closely related to each other and belonging to the same language family.

When google interface was translated into Runyakitara, one would imagine if it was translated into one single language called Runyakitara but is quite clear that the translation may have been done into two languages then adaptation was made to suit the four languages in the Runyakitara family.

Therefore, Understanding Runyakitara language implies the four main languages or dialects of western Uganda which include Runyankore, Rukiga, Runyoro and Rutooro. It is with this in mind that a professional translator can be in position to provide Runyakitara professional translation services and possibly provide professional guidance to the clients

 

The author of this Article is a Runyankore translator with Igloos Consultancy Services.

Uganda, a country located in Eastern Africa is a highly multilingual country and one would imagine how many languages Uganda has. With a total population of about 40 million people, it is worthy investigating how many indigenous languages are actually spoken in the country.

The only country in the region with well structured traditional kingdoms, it is no doubt that Uganda despite its size has a number of indigenous languages it actually has so how many languages Uganda has is actually a matter at hand. Some of the prominent Kingdoms and Chiefdoms in Uganda include; Buganda Kingdom which is the biggest kingdom in the country, Bunyoro Kingdom, Tooro Kingdom, Ankole Kingdom, Rwenzururu Kingdom, Busoga Kingdom and Emorimor chiefdom of Teso.

With the existing cultural diversity and institutions as evidenced in the number of kingdoms and chiefdoms, Uganda with no doubt is really a multicultural society.

According to the Uganda constitution, there are over 40 known indigenous languages in Uganda with varying numbers of native speakers. Some of the languages provided in the constitution include; Luganda/ Ganda, Lusoga/ Soga, Lugisu/ Lumasaba/ Masaba, Runyankore/ Nkore, Rukiga/ Kiga/ Chiga, Runyoro/ Nyoro, Rutooro/ Toro, Lufumbira/ Fumbira, Rukonjo/ Konzo, Lugbara, Kebu, Aringa, Madi, Acholi/ Acoli, Lango/ Langi, IK, Karamojong/ Karimojong/ Ng’akarimojong, Kumam, Ateso/ Teso, Kenyi, Adhola/ Jopadhola, Samia/Saamia, Kupsapiiny/ Sabin, Alur, Amba, Bari, Bukusu, Gungu, Lugwere/ Gwere, Kakwa, Ndrulo, Nubi, Nyang’i , Nyole/ Runyore, Pokot, Ruruuli/ Runyala, Soo, Swahili/ Kiswahili, Talinga- Bwisi, Thur, Ugandan Sign Language.

It is important to note that Luganda is the most spoken indigenous language of Uganda with a total of over 4 million native speakers and over 1 million people who speak it as their second language. The language is mostly spoken in the central part of the country where the kingdom of Buganda is situated.

Given the numerous languages in the country, the efforts to have a national language have been rather difficult although proposals have been made to have Kiswahili as Uganda’s national language and maintain English as the official language.

Despite the above, there isn’t so far any act of parliament confirming Kiswahili as Uganda’s national language.

Besides, there have been calls by human rights bodies, non-governmental organizations and other agencies to have the Ugandan constitution Translated into local languages. Human rights bodies believe that having the constitution translated into local languages will aid better understanding of the constitution by the citizens hence justice.

 

Kiswahili language, also spelt as Swahili is a bantu language and the first language of the Swahili people mostly situated in the East African Coast. The language is a lingua franca of the African great lakes region and there is undoubtedly Kiswahili Language influence in Africa.

It is important to note that Kiswahili is the most spoken indigenous language on the African continent with over 100 million speakers. Other languages that top the list include Amharic, Yoruba, Oromo, Hausa, Igbo, Zulu, Shona, Arabic, Portuguese and French. With this in mind, one can truly and firmly state that knowledge of Kiswahili in Africa is absolutely necessary for anyone who transacts or hopes to transact business on the continent.

In Kenya and Tanzania for instance, knowledge of Kiswahili is absolutely necessary for anyone who lives in any of the two countries or. From the Kenyan perspective, most Kenyans prefer to communicate in Kiswahili to English hence knowing the language creates a strong sense of belonging

Historically, Kiswahili language was used by the Arabs as a language of business transaction across the region but it was later adopted by the military, the police and other paramilitary organizations in most countries across the great lakes region.

It is therefore indicative that Kiswahili language serves as a vital medium of communication among the said groups on the horn of Africa and the great lakes region.

From the Ugandan perspective, Kiswahili took long to take root in the country due to several reasons but it’s now being adopted as a second official language after English.

In the translation industry, Kiswahili is one of the dominant languages in the continent as many investors and companies seek to establish businesses in the region. Some of the potential investors in the region are surprisingly or not surprisingly seeking  translation services from agencies providing Kiswahili Professional Translation Services on the continent.