Stellenbosch University
Welcome to Stellenbosch University
Online dictionary promotes multilingualism
Author: Corporate Communication / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie [Alec Basson]
Published: 20/02/2018

​Every year on 21 February, International Mother Language Day is celebrated to highlight, among others, the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism to help build sustainable societies.  As a multilingual institution, Stellenbosch University (SU) joins the rest of the world in these celebrations by leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that students from diverse language backgrounds are successful in their studies. Multilingualism also helps to broaden access to the US.

One of the ways in which multilingualism at SU is promoted is through the multilingual web-based subject dictionary MobiLex which helps students understand concepts used in their respective subjects. MobiLex explains subject terminology to students in Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa.

“With the MobiLex Project, emphasis is placed on multilingualism but at the same time on developing and expanding isiXhosa's vocabulary for use in schools and universities," says Dr Michele van der Merwe of SU's Department of Curriculum Studies and manager of the project.

MobiLex is currently being used in the Faculties of Education and Theology and will later be expanded to Economic and Management Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. In 2017, the Department of Arts and Culture donated R1,52 million over three years to promote MobiLex in the Faculties of Education and Theology.

In the Faculty of Theology, current processes involve the development of concepts and definitions in Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa for all undergraduate theology modules, says Rev Nina Müller van Velden, co-ordinator of the MobiLex Project.

Dr Van der Merwe mentions that in the Faculty of Education, terminology for Intermediate and Senior Phase Mathematics Education has been added and concepts for Curriculum Studies have been included and updated. She adds that a new subject, Language Education, was drafted in Afrikaans, translated into English and has to be translated to isiXhosa.

“Students and lecturers in the Faculty are very excited about using MobiLex because it helps promote multilingualism in lectures."

Müller van Velden says they are delighted with the University Capacity Development Grant of the Department of Higher Education and Training that will enable the expansion of MobiLex to other faculties. This process started on 1 February 2018.

“The ultimate goal is for MobiLex to be used in all faculties."

Müller van Velden says a MobiLex App will be launched soon.

“Users will be able to easily navigate the subject dictionaries with ease on their smartphones and tablets without having to use any data after the initial download and installation."

The app will be updated from time to time, as further data is being developed, she adds.

In addition to the MobiLex Project, SU's Language Centre makes a valuable contribution to multilingualism by helping students to improve their language skills in isiXhosa, Engels and Afrikaans.

  • In September, SU will host a Language Day. More detail on this event will be made available later.