By Charmaine Ndlela
The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the isiXhosa Bible Review Committee of the Bible Society of South Africa on Thursday handed over the revised isiXhosa Bible for printing.
The revision forms part of PanSALB’s ongoing efforts to preserve, protect and promote multilingualism, as well as to advance the development and use of South Africa’s official languages.
In a statement, the board said its language programmes aim to strengthen compliance with spelling and orthography rules across all official languages.
“Among other institutional initiatives, the verification and authentication of terminology is one of the programmes aimed at ensuring that institutions comply with the principles and regulations governing spelling and orthography in all official languages,” PanSALB said.
The initiative, it added, seeks to ensure “the effective utilisation of the country’s language resources through standardised and formal language use.”
Key stakeholders at the handover included members of the isiXhosa National Language Bodies (XNLB), the South African Council of Churches, and executives from the Bible Society of South Africa.
During the event, the isiXhosa Bible Review Committee honoured PanSALB with a certificate of recognition for its contribution to the development of the revised Bible.
The revision is seen as a significant step in strengthening isiXhosa language use, particularly given the Bible’s status as one of the most widely read texts in African languages.
“The handover marks an important milestone in reinforcing the role of isiXhosa spelling and orthography as the standardised framework for official writing,” PanSALB said.
It added that adherence to revised isiXhosa spelling and orthography rules is critical for the language’s development and standardisation, especially as the Bible continues to play a central role in shaping written isiXhosa.
PanSALB also highlighted the Bible’s historical contribution to language development, noting that it helped establish and evolve the first isiXhosa orthography.
The organisation said it remains committed to supporting all official languages through standardisation programmes that promote multilingualism.
Speaking to Inside Education, PanSALB head of marketing and communications Ntombentle Huluhulu said the revised Bible is expected to be available to the public within six months.
She added that verification and authentication processes are ongoing for other languages, including Sesotho, Khilobedu and Khwedam, a Khoi and San language.
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