Africa, could at least have stated the number of cases that had been diagnosed with the disease to date, and if new cases were still occurring, which would enable the public to at least subjectively judge if there was an “outbreak” or not. In other words, I do not think the word outbreak is appropriate to describe the situation.
A similar case is cholera, which is translated into Setswana as “letlhatso le letshollo”. Again this is a descriptive phrase, describing a symptomatology very common in the country from various diseases, most commonly from infections of the stomach and intestines (gastro-enteritis) such as food poisoning. Cholera is specific, and the disease is not known to Batswana. Why not just call it that? In a similar vein, malaria is still referred to as “letshoroma”, which describes the trembling.
In the past there was a condition called “cancrum oris”, which was common in children. Parts of the face, usually around the mouth, were eaten away. This condition was associated with poor nutrition and standard of living, and was generally referred to by Batswana as “kankere”. Over time the word “kankere” has now been transferred to be a translation for “cancer”, a very different condition. The older folk still associate the word with the cancrum oris that has virtually disappeared, and when you discuss with them, that is what they have in mind. I think to call cancer just the same way in Setswana (khensa) makes more sense to me.
Tuberculosis is another case in point. Although I tend to agree with the now common translation of “kgotlholo e tona”, in traditional medicine, it is still referred to as “thibamo” or even “boswagadi”, an illustration of the different traditional concepts of how the disease is caused. The whole spectrum of sexually transmitted diseases is also a problem, collectively referred to as “malwetse a dikobo”. When being specific, there are words like “rasephiphi” and “thosola” which can be quite difficult to pin down.
I think there should be an attempt to rationalise and then standardise the translation of at least the common diseases, so that the Setswana names do not just describe what is happening, but name an actual disease entity. I believe there is a Setswana Language Council, which should take this on. It can get input from those with medical background, like myself, who are interested.
To end with an anecdote, when we used to hold seminars in villages on various diseases, there was a story that went around regarding AIDS. People were taught that one of the signs of AIDS was to lose weight without obvious explanation, or “go latlhegelwa ke nama mo go sa tlwaelesegang”. This elderly gentleman is said to have said, “ke sale ke belaela. Maloba ke rwele nama ka baesekele, e ne ya nyelela fela ka sala ke sa itse gore e ile kae. E tshwanetse e be e le yone AIDS eo ya lona.”
We really need to develop our language to be applied to modern concepts.
Dr Edward T Maganu
WHO Representative
Tanzania
