Charting the future of translation and interpretation in Africa: reflections from Mozambique and beyond

Abstract

This present paper delves into the long experience amassed over more than three decades I have been teaching Translation and Interpretation at University level. The paper looks into how Translating, Interpreting and research on languages and literacy studies have set the tone of our understanding of the field, the notion of its developments and the hurdles its practitioners have had to overcome thus far. The paper explores the pioneering work by the first nationals who saw the need to establish translation and interpreting schools/training in Mozambique, its history and the role of the government. The links of such pioneering developments and the current scenario in Mozambique, Africa and the World is also explored in a more holistic and eclectic manner to suggest the way forward for the field vis-a-vis licensing, accreditation and the establishment of an “entity” that may champion the entire undertaking. The paper eventually purposes a set of pragmatic steps that translators, interpreters, terminologists and general practitioners (including service providers) need to bear in mind and, perhaps, embark on to build a whole new renascent Pan Africanist future in Africa.