The Impact of Translation Activities on the Development of African Languages in Multilingual Societies: Shona–Ndebele–English Musical Terms Dictionary, A Case Study

Abstract

The article examines the impact of translation activities on the development of African languages in a multi-lingual Zimbabwean society. It analyzes Shona musical terms that were created through translation processes and strategies such as borrowing, coining, compounding and derivation. Focus is on how the ongoing term-creation is contributing to or hindering the development of the Shona language. The importance of such strategies and processes are discussed in the broader context of empowering African languages. The article also offers recommendations on how best to come up with systematized terminology in music and other specialized fields.