Today, on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in collaboration with the North-West University, Setswana National Lexicography Unit (Sefala), North-West Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, North-West Provincial Language Committee (NWPLC), African Association for Lexicography, and the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR), is celebrating International Dictionary Day at the North-West University in Potchefstroom campus.
International Dictionary Day is observed worldwide to honour the birth anniversary of Noah Webster, a renowned lexicographer known as the father of the American dictionary. This day is commemorated to highlight and appreciate the important work of lexicographers in language development and to raise awareness about the significance of using dictionaries to enhance vocabulary and literacy levels.
PanSALB is a constitutional body responsible for promoting the development of all official languages in the country, including Khoi and San languages. PanSALB carries out its functions through its three advisory structures, one of which is the National Lexicography Units (NLU’s), consisting of eleven units representing different languages across the country.
Mr. Lance Schultz, the Chief Executive Officer of PanSALB, stated, “The NLUs play a crucial role in fulfilling a constitutional mandate by compiling dictionaries and other lexicographical products to enrich the vocabulary of different languages and address societal challenges such as illiteracy.”
“Preserving and promoting languages are essential for safeguarding our nation’s diverse linguistic heritage. Providing access to dictionaries through digital platforms is a strategic necessity that all stakeholders should pursue. It is vital to ensure that these dictionaries are utilized as educational tools and cultural repositories which have to be preserved for future generations. That requires establishing strategic partnerships with the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and other key stakeholders to ensure that dictionaries are utilized as national resources” he added.
As part of today’s program, a Setswana-English Bilingual dictionary will be launched to recognize the role of lexicographers in contributing to the development of all languages.