dsfsi/za-mafoko-unisa-multilingual

South African Multilingual Linguistic Terminology (SAMLT) Project

Dataset Description

The South African Multilingual Linguistic Terminology (SAMLT) Project is a comprehensive multilingual termbank containing 500 linguistic terms translated across nine South African languages. Each term includes translations by field experts, accompanied by concise definitions and usage examples to clarify technical linguistic concepts for classroom and academic use.

This resource addresses the critical need for standardized linguistic terminology in African languages, supporting linguistics education and research across South Africa's diverse linguistic landscape.

The machine-readable version of this dataset was processed as part of the Mafoko: South African Terminology, Lexicon, and Glossary Project by the Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI) group at the University of Pretoria. This work supports the development of multilingual language technologies, including machine translation and term extraction in academic contexts.

Dataset Structure

The dataset consists of termbanks containing:

• 500 linguistic terminology entries
• Translations in 9 South African languages
• Definitions for each term
• Usage examples demonstrating application

Data Format

Each terminology entry includes:

English Term
- Translation in each of 9 languages
- Definition
- Usage example

Languages Covered

The dataset includes terminology in 9 official South African languages:

• isiZulu (zul)
• isiXhosa (xho)
• Setswana (tsn)
• Sesotho sa Leboa/Sepedi (nso)
• Siswati (ssw)
• Tshivenḓa (ven)
• Sesotho (sot)
• Xitsonga (tso)
• isiNdebele (nde)

Usage

Example Applications

• Linguistics Education: Support mother-tongue instruction in linguistics courses
• Curriculum Development: Create multilingual teaching materials for linguistics programs
• Academic Research: Standardized terminology for linguistic research in African languages
• Translation Resources: Reference for academic and technical translation
• Terminology Standardization: Establish consistent linguistic terminology across languages
• Digital Humanities: Support e-lexicography and digital language resource development
• NLP & Machine Translation: Training data for multilingual language technologies
• Term Extraction: Support automated terminology extraction in academic contexts

Access

• Project Website: https://linguisticterminology.wordpress.com/
• Repository URI: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12185/669
• Mafoko Project: http://www.dsfsi.co.za/za-mafoko/

Data Quality and Provenance

The terminology was developed through rigorous collaboration with linguistic experts for each language. Each term was:

• Translated by native speakers with expertise in linguistics
• Validated by multiple language experts
• Defined with clarity for educational contexts
• Illustrated with practical usage examples
• Processed into machine-readable format by DSFSI for computational applications

Citation

Dataset Citation

@dataset{samlt_2022,
  title={South African Multilingual Linguistic Terminology Project Termbanks},
  author={Griesel, Marissa and Mojapelo, Mampaka Lydia},
  year={2022},
  version={1.0},
  publisher={University of South Africa},
  url={https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12185/669},
  note={Linguistic terminology for South African languages. Machine-readable version processed by DSFSI as part of the Mafoko Project.}
}

Related Publications

@inproceedings{griesel_mojapelo_2022,
  title={Adding to the wealth of knowledge by engaging with digital humanities: The Multilingual Linguistic Terminology project as example for practical e-lexicography},
  author={Griesel, Marissa and Mojapelo, Mampaka Lydia},
  booktitle={Abstract booklet for the ALASA International Conference},
  year={2022},
  address={Stellenbosch, South Africa},
  month={September},
  note={forthcoming}
}

@article{marivate2025mafokostructuringbuildingopen,
      title={Mafoko: Structuring and Building Open Multilingual Terminologies for South African NLP}, 
      author={Vukosi Marivate and Isheanesu Dzingirai and Fiskani Banda and Richard Lastrucci and Thapelo Sindane and Keabetswe Madumo and Kayode Olaleye and Abiodun Modupe and Unarine Netshifhefhe and Herkulaas Combrink and Mohlatlego Nakeng and Matome Ledwaba},
      year={2025},
      eprint={2508.03529},
      archivePrefix={arXiv},
      primaryClass={cs.CL},
      url={https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.03529}, 
}

Project Team

Original SAMLT Project

Project Leadership:

• Project Leader: Prof. Mampaka Lydia Mojapelo, Department of African Languages, University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Project Manager: Ms. Marissa Griesel

Linguistic Experts by Language:

Sesotho sa Leboa:

• Prof. Mampaka Lydia Mojapelo
• Dr. Malesela Masenya
• Mr. Maropeng Maponya
• Dr. Seleka Tembane
• Mr. Ike R Makena

isiZulu:

• Prof. Rose Masubelele
• Mr. Nkululeko Nzimande

Xitsonga:

• Prof. Eric Mabaso
• Mr. Delvah Mathevula
• Mr. Mkomati John Mongwe
• Ms. Pearl Magamana

Setswana:

• Ms. Badiri Moila
• Ms. Esther Poo
• Dr. Refilwe Morongwa Ramagoshi

Siswati:

• Ms. Remah Lubambo
• Mr. Justice Mdhluli
• Mr. Mawethu Nhlabathi

isiNdebele:

• Ms. Nomsa Mtsweni
• Mr. Rorisang Dumisani Nkabinde

isiXhosa:

• Ms. Kholisa Podile
• Dr. Feziswe Shoba

Tshivenḓa:

• Dr. Lawrence Mudau
• Mr. Witness Nevhulamba
• Ms. Azwinndini Winnie Mudau

Sesotho:

• Ms. Matsie Mokuoane
• Mr. Motsamai Paul Lesoetsa
• Dr. Victor SM Moeketsi

Mafoko Project Processing

Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI), University of Pretoria:

• Machine-readable format processing and curation
• Integration into the broader Mafoko terminology ecosystem
• Support for computational linguistics applications

Project Information

• Original Host Institution: Department of African Languages, University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Processing Institution: Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI), University of Pretoria
• Original Funding: South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR)
• Government Support: Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)
• Institutional Role: UNISA Department of African Languages is a proud node of SADiLaR
• Related Project: Mafoko: South African Terminology, Lexicon, and Glossary Project
• Mafoko Project Website: http://www.dsfsi.co.za/za-mafoko/

License

• This Mafoko project version of the dataset is licensed under Nwulite Obodo Open Data License - Version 1.0

Future Development

The SAMLT project continues to evolve and welcomes collaboration. Those interested in contributing to future development phases can contact the project team through the project website or institutional channels.

Keywords

terminology, linguistic terminology, termbank, multilingual resources, South African languages, digital humanities, e-lexicography, NLP, machine translation, computational linguistics

Acknowledgments

This project would not have been possible without:

• The dedication and expertise of language specialists across all nine languages
• Support from SADiLaR and the Department of Science and Innovation
• The Department of African Languages at UNISA for hosting and facilitating the original project
• The DSFSI team at University of Pretoria for processing and making the data accessible for computational applications
• All collaborators who contributed to developing these essential linguistic resources

---

The SAMLT project represents a significant contribution to linguistic education and research in South Africa, providing standardized terminology that supports mother-tongue instruction, preserves linguistic heritage in academic contexts, and enables the development of multilingual language technologies.