Search

Terminological innovation has a considerable tradition in Swahili. This article takes recent terminology from the domain of information and communication technology (ICT) as a case study. It argues that, despite the principles and guidelines issued by Tanzanian language development authorities, the influence of English in developing new terms is evident. Furthermore, it shows that sometimes terms which are difficult to trace or which are related to different explanations of their origin, can achieve a broad acceptance by Swahili speakers, such as ‘tovuti’ ([web]site) or ‘tarakilishi’ (computer). Analysing terminology issued by the Open Swahili Localization Project in Dar es Salaam, aspects of loan-based translation and different strategies of creating new terminology, such as the use of the connective -a and of (new types of) composita, are discussed. Also here, the question of acceptance by the actual speakers of the language is taken into account.

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience; The aim of the present paper is to sketch a state of the art regarding the Bualanguages of Chad, a genetically related linguistic group that remains relativelylittle-known. Section 1 presents and lists the different languages that belong to thisgenetic unit. A historical review of the documentation is presented in Section 2.Section 3 lays out a lexicostatistical approach to the internal relationships of thelanguages, complemented by some other discriminating features. Some salientphonological and morphological features are discussed in Section 4 that gives aparticular attention to the crucial noun class system of Kulaal. Section 5 deals withproblems of comparison, correspondences and reconstruction within the Group.Lastly a word will be said about the current Bua languages comparative project inSection 6.

International audience; The article focusses on derivation and compounding processes in Kambaata (Cushitic) that have cardinal numerals as input. After the formation of cardinal numerals has been summarised, the contribution decribes in detail the ordinal, distributive and multiplicative numeral derivations. Furthermore, one section of the paper is dedicated to adjectival and nominal compounds based on numerals. Finally, the article elaborates on the expression of fractions, approximation and mathematical operations. Whenever possible, denumeral formation in Kambaata is compared to that of the closely related Highland East Cushitic languages.