INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE DIGITALISATION AND THE DISSEMINATION OF COVID-19 INFORMATION

Abstract

This study sets to find out if digitalised linguistic resources exist in indigenous languages, Twhich can be used for the dissemination of COVID-19 information in Cameroon. SinceDecember 2019, the COVID-19 virus has spread as a pandemic at an exponential ratethroughout the world, threatening the development of nations across the globe . The Cameroongovernment has therefore embarked on sensitizing its population through the media, but this ismostly carried out in either English or French languages, thus depriving many Cameroonians withlimited skills in these languages, of the right information. Digitalised linguistic resources present anefficient alternative for the dissemination of health-related information. This study therefore aims atexamining the availability of digitalised linguistic resources during the pandemic, and assessingtheir impact on the lives of Cameroonians. It employed a mixed method for the collection of data. Aquestionnaire was issued to 155 respondents in rural communities in Cameroon. The results revealthat SIL, CABTAL and other non-governmental organisations have translated the COVID-19information into several indigenous languages and have made them available through the mediaand the internet. Unfortunately, the government does not take advantage of these resources.Consequently, many Cameroonians with limited skills in official languages are still ignorant of thedanger of COVID-19. The study, therefore, recommends collaboration between the government andpolicy makers with organizations involved in the promotion of indigenous languages, for theeffective sensitisation of the entire Cameroonian population.