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An Exploratory Study of Translations of the Dewey Decimal Classification System Into South African Languages

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An exploratory study of translations of the Dewey Decimal Classification System into South African languages by GERT JOHANNES JACOBUS DE JAGER Thesis submitted for the degree of DOCTOR OF LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY in the subject INFORMATION SCIENCE at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: DR L M CLOETE CO-SUPERVISOR: DR H MARAIS JUNE 2017 ABSTRACT This research investigated the feasibility of South African translations of Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC). The study provides an introductory overview of DDC throughout the world, followed by its use in South Africa. The introduction highlights shortcomings and possible solutions – of which translations seem to be the most ideal. This research involved a critical analysis of the literature on DDC translations, a documentary analysis and technology-based research in the form of Google translations and evaluation of parts of Abridged Edition 15 of DDC. The critical analysis of the literature and the documentary analysis identified problems relating to translations, how translations deal with shortcomings in DDC, the fact that no literature exists on multilingual translations, and the process of translations (including the fact that this is an expensive endeavour). It also revealed information about sponsorship and the mixed translation model. The technology-based research, using Google Translate for translations of parts of Abridged Edition 15 and the subsequent evaluation of these translations indicated that Google translations were comprehensive and needed minimum editorial effort. Further to this it paved the way for describing a possible workflow for South African translations and indicated that the parts already translated as well as further Google translations can expedite the translation process. A model for South African translations, based on only the cost of the Pansoft translation software was proposed. The mixed model approach, where some languages are used as main languages (schedules, Relative Index terms and the like) and others for Relative Index terms only, was deemed the most appropriate in the South African context. This led to the conclusion that DDC translations into ten of the official South African languages are indeed feasible. The research supports translations that keep the integrity of DDC intact, with possible expansions based on literary warrant. It is important, though, to get the support of the South African library community and authoritative bodies such as the National Library of South Africa iii and/or the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) to negotiate and sign a contract for these translations. KEYWORDS Dewey Decimal Classification, DDC, WebDewey, Abridged Edition 15, Translations, South African languages, Classification, Feasibility, Google Translate, Machine translation iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS God Almighty, Author of all, Spark of imagination My family for their interest and support, in particular Anneke de Jager and Elizabeth de Jager My supervisor, Dr L.M. Cloete and co-supervisor, Dr H. Marais for their tireless guidance in helping me to complete this thesis Conrad Baudin for editing the manuscript My employer, Unisa, for study assistance and Research and Development leave My colleagues for their interest and support Peter Werling and colleagues from Pansoft for information about the Pansoft translation software Piero Cavaleri (Italian) and Harriet Aagaard (Swedish) for information about their respective translations OCLC (Dewey) personnel: Michael Panzer (former Editor in Chief), Rebecca Green (Dewey Editorial Operations Program Manager), Alex Kurios (Editor), Julianne Beall (Consulting Senior Editor), Sandi Jones (Product Manager), Libbie Crawford (Former Product Manager) for information and permission to use parts of DDC in this research All copyright rights in the Dewey Decimal Classification system are owned by OCLC. Dewey, Dewey Decimal Classification, DDC, OCLC and WebDewey are registered trademarks of OCLC. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ..................................................................................................... II ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................... III KEYWORDS ......................................................................................................... IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................... V TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................ VI LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................. XV LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................. XXI LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS ...................... XXVI CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the study .......................................................................... 1 1.1.1 Use of classification systems for bibliographic control ............................. 1 1.1.2 General overview of DDC ........................................................................ 2 1.1.2.1 Editorial Support System .................................................................. 4 1.1.2.2 WebDewey........................................................................................ 5 1.1.2.3 Linked data and mappings ................................................................ 6 1.1.2.4 Apparent shortcomings in DDC ......................................................... 6 1.1.2.4.1 Shortcomings about gender, sexuality and groups of people ....... 7 1.1.2.4.2 Shortcomings about languages and literatures ............................. 7 1.1.2.4.3 Shortcomings about other subjects ............................................... 8 1.1.2.5 Possible solutions to shortcomings in DDC ...................................... 8 1.1.2.5.1 Options in DDC ............................................................................. 9 1.1.2.5.2 Expansions and adaptations ......................................................... 9 1.1.2.5.3 Translations ................................................................................ 11 vi 1.1.2.5.4 Pansoft translation software ........................................................ 12 1.1.3 DDC in South Africa ............................................................................... 17 1.1.3.1 South African-related entries in DDC .............................................. 18 1.1.3.2 Areas for possible expansion and suitable options ......................... 20 1.1.3.3 Early South African translations ...................................................... 21 1.1.3.4 Later South African translations ...................................................... 23 1.2 Problem statement .................................................................................. 25 1.3 Research questions ................................................................................. 25 1.4 Purpose of the study ............................................................................... 27 1.5 Motivation for the study .......................................................................... 27 1.6 Research objectives ................................................................................ 28 1.7 Delimitations of the study ....................................................................... 29 1.8 Significance of the study ........................................................................ 30 1.9 Research methodology ........................................................................... 31 1.10 Thesis structure ....................................................................................... 32 1.11 Chapter summary .................................................................................... 33 CHAPTER 2 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF REPORTED RESEARCH ................. 35 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 35 2.2 General overview and sources on multiple translations ...................... 37 2.3 Arabic ....................................................................................................... 46 2.4 French ....................................................................................................... 47 2.5 German ..................................................................................................... 48 2.6 Hindi .......................................................................................................... 50 vii 2.7 Icelandic ................................................................................................... 50 2.8 Indonesian ................................................................................................ 51 2.9 Italian ........................................................................................................ 52 2.10 Korean ...................................................................................................... 53 2.11 Norwegian and Swedish ......................................................................... 53 2.12 Persian ...................................................................................................... 56 2.13 Russian ..................................................................................................... 57 2.14 Spanish
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