Share

Translations of Ebola health info on Wikipedia

Rubric, a global language service provider, has donated its translation services to Wikimedia ZA to provide SA with essential health information on Ebola, should the disease find its way here.
Rubric, a global language service provider, has donated its translation services to Wikimedia ZA to provide SA with essential health information on Ebola, should the disease find its way here.

South Africans can get advice on how to prevent and recognise the symptoms of infection on Wikipedia.org by searching ‘Ebola’ and then choosing a translation in one of the country’s local language Wikipedias from the dropdown menu.

The initiative has been spearheaded across Africa by the Wikipedia project, Wiki Project Medicine’s Translation Task Force, whose volunteers saw a lack of relevant information on Wikipedia in the languages of those regions affected by the outbreak.

1552 Ebola deaths to date

The current Ebola outbreak is the largest incidence in history for this disease with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting 3062 suspected cases and 1552 deaths by 26 August.

The United Nations (UN) estimate $600 million will be needed to bring the epidemic under control by slowing down the growth in new cases within two months and stopping all transmission in six to nine months.

Read: How prepared is South Africa for an Ebola outbreak?

Despite the presence of a number of organisations working to raise awareness about the disease, Doctors Without Borders says their activities haven’t yet reduced public anxiety about Ebola. Media reports indicate that mistrust of health workers and isolation centres is high due to inadequate information about what needs to be done and apprehension about the insufficient healthcare system.

Françoise Henderson, CEO at Rubric, says that in other instances UNICEF’s efforts to promote health messages in English and French is complicated by the majority of the population, especially in rural areas, not speaking colonial languages.

People need information in their own language

“People need to have information in their own language to improve understanding of the measures that can reduce their risk of infection,” says Henderson who is also an adviser to Translators without Borders.

Isla Haddow-Flood, Project Manager at WikiAfrica and Wikimedia ZA board member says: “There is a massive crisis unfolding on the continent and one of the most effective ways of fighting the fear, disinformation and spread of the disease is with clear, factual knowledge – the kind you can access free, and on your mobile phone.”

She says Wikipedia is written by volunteers and in many cases the data is freely available via Wikipedia Zero, but in Africa for a number of reasons, the numbers of local language editors is very low. This has obvious repercussions that become critical when confronted with a crisis like Ebola.

Read: Could Ebola hit SA?

Teaming up with Wiki Project Medicine, WikiAfrica brokered a partnership with Rubric for a more direct and less organic approach to translating vital information in the full range of South African languages. Citizens now have thoroughly researched, practical information at hand via Wikipedia.

In today’s interconnected world, the risk of the disease spreading can’t be completely discounted.

“We are grateful to Rubric and their team of translators who saw the urgency and took the selfless action to make these local translations happen,” says Haddow-Flood.

She says WikiAfrica is working with WikiProject Medicine, Translators Without Borders and communities across Africa to replicate this project in the western, central and eastern regions.

Translations into more than 128 languages

Rubric translates into more than 128 languages through an extensive and growing network of independent translation professionals.

“In collaboration with Wikimedia ZA we hope to help spread access to vital information,” says Henderson.

Any organisations with grant funding that would like to support the translation effort in West Africa can get in touch with Rubric.

Read: Signs and symptoms of Ebola

Wikipedia
also needs local editors to expand and update the articles that have already been written as new information becomes available and can contact Isla Haddow-Flood to get involved.

Various languages available:
•       isiXhosa
•       isiZulu
•       Setswana
•       Sesotho
•       Siswati
•       Xitsonga
•      Tshivenda
•      Northern Sotho (Sepedi)
•      Ndebele

Read More:

Ebola can jump from animals to people in Africa
Worst ever outbreak of Ebola
Ebola vaccine works, but needs booster
Could the blood of Ebola survivors help patients?

Image: Close up of multi language keyboard and translate word key from Shutterstock

For more information please visit: WikimediaZa, WikiAfrica or Rubric

See breaking news and the hottest health tips before anybody else by joining South Africa’s biggest and best health community, like health24 on Facebook now!

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE