---
license: other
language:
- ts
- tn
- zu
- xh
- ve
- af
- en
- st
- nr
- ss
tags:
- terminology
size_categories:
- 10K<n<100K
---

# Marito - DSAC Multilingual Terminology Lists

## Dataset Description

The Marito DSAC (Department of Sports, Arts and Culture) Multilingual Terminology Lists dataset is a comprehensive collection of specialized terminology across multiple domains in South African languages. This dataset contains curated multilingual dictionaries and glossaries covering diverse fields including healthcare, education, technology, sports, and governance.

This collection is part of the broader **Marito: South African Terminology, Lexicon, and Glossary Project**, which is dedicated to the comprehensive collection, meticulous cleaning, and transformative processing of South African language terminology lists, lexicons, and glossaries. This initiative is an integral part of the broader mission of the Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI) lab/group, which aims to liberate and openly share as many language resources as possible.

## Dataset Structure

The dataset consists of 16 JSONL files, each containing domain-specific terminology:

### Files Overview

| File | Domain | Description |
|------|--------|-------------|
| `dsac_election_terminology_dictionary.jsonl` | Elections | Electoral and democratic process terminology |
| `dsac_life_orientation_terminology_term_list.jsonl` | Life Orientation | Life skills and personal development terms |
| `dsac_multilingual_arts_&_culture_intermediate_phase_terminology_list.jsonl` | Arts & Culture | Creative arts and cultural terminology |
| `dsac_multilingual_engineering_and_construction_terminology.jsonl` | Engineering | Technical engineering and construction terms |
| `dsac_multilingual_financial_terminology.jsonl` | Finance | Banking, finance, and economic terminology |
| `dsac_multilingual_hiv_and_aids_terminology.jsonl` | Health | HIV/AIDS and health-related terminology |
| `dsac_multilingual_human_social_economic_and_management_sciences_terminology.jsonl` | Social Sciences | Human and social sciences terminology |
| `dsac_multilingual_ict_dictionary.jsonl` | Technology | Information and Communication Technology terms |
| `dsac_multilingual_mathematics_dictionary_r_to_6.jsonl` | Mathematics | Mathematical terminology for grades R-6 |
| `dsac_multilingual_parliamentary_dictionary.jsonl` | Government | Parliamentary and legislative terminology |
| `dsac_multilingual_soccer_terminology.jsonl` | Sports | Soccer/football terminology |
| `dsac_natural_science_and_technology_term_list_nguni_languages.jsonl` | Science | Natural sciences in Nguni languages |
| `dsac_natural_sciences_and_technology_dictionary_sotho.jsonl` | Science | Natural sciences in Sotho languages |
| `dsac_natural_sciences_and_technology_for_grade_4_to_6.jsonl` | Science | Elementary science terminology |
| `dsac_pharmacy_first_edition.jsonl` | Pharmacy | Pharmaceutical terminology (1st edition) |
| `dsac_pharmarcy_second_edition.jsonl` | Pharmacy | Pharmaceutical terminology (2nd edition) |

### Data Format

Each JSONL file contains entries in the following structure:

```json
{
  "id": "unique_identifier",
  "eng": "English term",
  "afr": "Afrikaans translation",
  "xho": "isiXhosa translation",
  "ssw": "siSwati translation",
  "nbl": "isiNdebele translation",
  "tsn": "Setswana translation",
  "nso": "Sepedi translation",
  "sot": "Sesotho translation",
  "ven": "Tshivenda translation",
  "tso": "Xitsonga translation",
  "eng_pos_or_descriptor": "Part of speech or descriptor in English",
  "eng_pos_or_descriptor_info": "Additional grammatical information",
  "[lang]_pos_or_descriptor": "Part of speech for each language",
  "[lang]_pos_or_descriptor_info": "Additional grammatical information for each language"
}
```

### Languages Covered

The dataset includes terminology in **11 official South African languages**:

- **English** (eng)
- **Afrikaans** (afr)
- **isiXhosa** (xho)
- **siSwati** (ssw)
- **isiNdebele** (nbl)
- **Setswana** (tsn)
- **Sepedi/Northern Sotho** (nso)
- **Sesotho** (sot)
- **Tshivenda** (ven)
- **Xitsonga** (tso)

## Usage

### Loading the Dataset

```python
import json

def load_dsac_terminology(file_path):
    """Load DSAC terminology from JSONL file"""
    terms = []
    with open(file_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
        for line in f:
            terms.append(json.loads(line))
    return terms

# Example usage
pharmacy_terms = load_dsac_terminology('dsac_pharmacy_first_edition.jsonl')
```

### Example Applications

- **Language Learning**: Create multilingual flashcards and vocabulary builders
- **Translation Tools**: Develop domain-specific translation systems
- **Educational Resources**: Build terminology databases for schools and universities
- **Research**: Linguistic analysis and terminology standardization studies
- **NLP Applications**: Train multilingual models for South African languages

## Data Quality and Provenance

The quality and accuracy of each resource are maintained by the original authors from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the linguistic data. The terminology has been curated and cleared by DSFSI (Data Science for Social Impact) for public release.

For any questions or clarifications regarding the content, users are encouraged to directly contact the original authors at the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

## Citation

### Dataset Citation
```bibtex
@dataset{dsac_terminology_2025,
  title={Marito - DSAC Multilingual Terminology Lists},
  author={[Authors and Contributors - To be updated]},
  year={2024},
  publisher={Hugging Face},
  url={[Dataset URL]},
  note={Curated by Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI)}
}
```

### Paper Citation
*[Placeholder for associated research paper - To be updated]*

```bibtex
@article{[paper_key],
  title={[Paper Title]},
  author={[Authors]},
  journal={[Journal Name]},
  year={[Year]},
  url={[Paper URL]}
}
```

## Authors and Contributors

*[Placeholder for comprehensive list of authors and contributors - To be updated]*

### Original Authors
- Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, South Africa

### Dataset Curation
- Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI)
- [Additional contributors to be listed]

## Project Information

- **Project Website**: http://www.dsfsi.co.za/za-marito/
- **Project Name**: Marito: South African Terminology, Lexicon, and Glossary Project
- **Organizing Institution**: Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI)

## License

* This dataset is licensed under [Nwulite Obodo Open Data License - Version 1.0](https://licensingafricandatasets.com/nwulite-obodo-license)

## Contact

For questions regarding this dataset:
- **Technical Issues**: Contact DSFSI team
- **Content Questions**: Contact Department of Sports, Arts and Culture
- **Project Information**: Visit http://www.dsfsi.co.za/za-marito/

## Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture for their commitment to multilingual terminology development and the Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI) lab for their efforts in making these resources openly available to support language preservation, linguistic research, and educational opportunities across South Africa's diverse linguistic landscape.

---

*This dataset is part of the broader mission to liberate and openly share South African language resources, enhancing language preservation and supporting linguistic diversity in digital spaces.*

The files on [https://github.com/dsfsi/za-marito/](https://github.com/dsfsi/za-marito/) are under [CC-BY-SA-4.0](https://github.com/dsfsi/za-mavito/blob/master/data/dsac/LICENSE) and should acknowledge the Original Department of Sports Arts and Culture Multilingual Terminology Lists + _Open Database_ authors list.