Translate Covid info to local languages win fight - study

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY STUDY|COVID-19|LANGUAGE BARRIER

Gaps in the dissemination of COVID-19-related messages are fuelling the spread of the virus in Uganda, according to a study by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) at Makerere University.

Presenting the findings at Makerere University yesterday, Allen Asiimwe, the principal investigator, said it was discovered that many Ugandans are not observing the SOPs because of language barrier, since messages are communicated in English, yet the majority Ugandans are not profi cient in it.

"If you watch TV or listen to radio, there are few messages in local languages, which affects communication. Ugandan indigenous languages should be given the space they deserve in communicating messages aimed at fi ghting COVID-19 if we are to make meaningful behavioural change," Asiimwe said.

She noted that it is important for the Government to disseminate information in languages that people understand. "Many people do not know what to do and why they should do it. As a result, they end up not making informed decisions," Asiimwe said.

The findings come at time when Uganda is recording a surge in COVID-19 cases. At least 32 people have died from the pandemic, which was first reported in Uganda on March 22. By yesterday evening, the cumulative confirmed cases in Uganda stood at 3,112, with 1,528 recoveries.

The study, titled Communicating COVID-19-Related Messages in Multilingual Contexts was conducted in June and July. It focused on the COVID-19: Positive cases at home to be evacuated today factors undermining the observation of the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

To solve the challenge of misinformation, the project team came up with translated COVID19-related messages, published in six local languages. These are Runyakole-Rukiga, Ateso, Luo, Kiswahili, Luganda and Lugbarati.

"Indigenous language is important. Even when President Yoweri Museveni, who normally addresses the country in English, wants to emphasise something, he puts it in a local language. So, these books are available for dissemination by the health ministry. They will also share the content on all their online platforms," Asiimwe said.

The team has also developed Braille books for visually impaired. Sarah Nakijoba, an official from the department of linguistics, English language services and communication skills, said:

"People lack basic information about how to keep themselves and their communities safe, because the message is in a language that does not make sense to them."

She said persons with special needs, such as those with visual impairment, have also not been well catered for in message dissemination. "Older people and persons with disabilities, who have fewer educational opportunities and are less likely to speak or read English, are left out," Nakijoba said.

She noted that Ugandans need information in a language and format they understand. "It must also be presented in a way that is relevant to them and available in a channel they can access and trust. Some people do not have TVs or radios," she added.

In the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, language was cited as a major obstacle to controlling the spread of the disease. An early shortage of information material for local language speakers and non-literate audiences left sections of the population in ignorance, disproportionately affecting behavioural change.

Merit Kabugo, the head of the department of linguistics, English language studies and communication skills at Makerere University, commended the researchers for highlighting the gaps. "This shows the importance of language and humanities in the fi ght against COVID-19. The messages are out there in languages that not everyone can understand," Kabugo said.