Thesis ( M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2013. / This study examines the impact of Zero equivalence when translating Xitsonga to English and vice versa. Translation is essential in everyday communication, therefore it is important to choose the accurate equivalent variant during the process if not so misunderstanding occurs especially where the target language has nil elements for a particular concept. In this study semi-structured interview was conducted and it is discovered that in place of zero equivalent variants different strategies were provided by different respondents to overcome the deficiency which target languages experience. Looking for sameness of meaning during communications exposes insufficiency of words, phrases and concepts in translating languages with different culture.

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / This study entails the translation of scientific terms from English into Northern Sotho. The reason one conducted this study is because translators experience difficulties in finding the correct equivalent terms, especially in Northern Sotho. Consequently, borrowing and transliteration of terms becomes their last resort. However, that does not help users of dictionaries to achieve their communicative goal. The study highlights that, the borrowing of terms leads to language shift and death as users no longer consider other equivalents. In addition, the study indicates that the constant usage of the borrowed terms causes the terms to lose meaning and function. The way in which people translate idiomatic expressions is a huge problem as well. Mostly, people end up using literal translation and subsequently, the whole meaning of a text is lost or misunderstood.