Indigenous Writers Hub
Multilingual Glossary
Key terms related to storytelling, publishing, journalism, and community โ translated across our six Indigenous languages.
Storytelling
StorytellingThe art of narrating stories, sharing knowledge and culture through spoken or written word.
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Oral tradition
StorytellingThe practice of passing down stories, history, and knowledge by word of mouth across generations.
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Narrative
StorytellingA spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
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Folklore
StorytellingTraditional stories, customs, and beliefs of a community passed through generations.
ShonaNgano/nga-no/
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Proverb
StorytellingA short traditional saying that expresses a widely held truth or piece of advice.
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Author
PublishingA person who writes books, articles, or other texts for publication.
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Translation
PublishingThe process of converting written or spoken content from one language into another.
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Manuscript
PublishingAn author's original handwritten or typed text before it is published.
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Editor
PublishingA person who prepares written material for publication by correcting and improving it.
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Heritage
CommunityThe traditions, achievements, and beliefs that are part of the history of a group or nation.
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Community
CommunityA group of people living in the same place or sharing common characteristics, interests, or culture.
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Knowledge
CommunityFacts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education.
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Empowerment
CommunityThe process of giving a community the means and confidence to control their own lives.
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Journalism
JournalismThe activity of gathering, writing, and publishing news and information.
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Reporter
JournalismA person who investigates and reports news stories for publication or broadcast.
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Fact-checking
JournalismThe process of verifying information to ensure its accuracy before publishing.
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Languages in this glossary
๐ฟ๐ผ ShonaSpoken widely across Zimbabwe
๐ฟ๐ผ NdebelePredominantly Matabeleland, Zimbabwe
๐ฟ๐ผ NambyaHwange district, Zimbabwe
๐ฟ๐ฆ VendaLimpopo, South Africa & Zimbabwe
๐ฟ๐ผ BatongaZambezi Valley, Zimbabwe & Zambia
๐ฟ๐ฆ SesothoLesotho, South Africa & Zimbabwe