Countering the cumbersome: rethinking the Shona compounding term-creation strategy

Abstract

This paper investigates how Shona linguists can shorten the terms created using thecompounding strategy so as to make them user-friendly. Although the use of the com-pounding term-creation strategy is to try to usher in terminological developments thatwould strengthen the indigenisation of the indigenous languages, it seems that the atti-tude of target users towards compounds is very negative. This paper suggests that com-pounded terms might be shortened using strategies such as blending, clipping and thedevising of acronyms. This effort can help in the scientific and technical growth of theindigenous languages, and hence give credence to the richness of a people's linguisticheritage.