Rwanda’s National Council of Culture has unveiled an ICT Terminology Dictionary in Kinyarwanda, a project designed to enrich the Kinyarwanda language and provide Rwandans with appropriate terminology for technology and digital applications.
The dictionary, launched on March 27, contains 274 pages and over 1,700 terms, developed over three years of research from 2023 to 2026. The launch attracted participants from diverse sectors, including culture, education, and technology.
Ambassador Robert Masozera, Chair of the Council, explained that the initiative emerged after research revealed widespread misuse of Kinyarwanda, partly due to a lack of appropriate words—especially in fields like technology and development. “Our research showed that one reason Rwandans mix languages is the absence of proper Kinyarwanda terms, particularly for technological concepts,” he said.
The dictionary was initially produced in print but will also be made available digitally through the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), allowing wider public access online.
Some of the newly introduced terms include Ingaragazamashusho (screen), Mugabuzi (server), and Intima (CPU), among others. Developers emphasized that terms were created based on the nature of the object or concept, ensuring accurate and culturally appropriate translations into Kinyarwanda.
Permanent Secretary at MINICT, Eraste Rurangwa, stressed the dictionary’s importance in enabling Rwandans to access correct technological terminology, even for those who do not speak English or French. “It’s a tool that allows anyone to find solutions in our own language. The digital platform will also allow users to submit new terms for consideration,” he said.
The Council confirmed plans for ongoing awareness campaigns to ensure the dictionary reaches a wide audience, with updates to incorporate newly coined terms over time.
In developing the dictionary, special attention was given to terms widely used in Rwanda and those essential for professional services, ensuring they are accessible to both experts and the general public.
Experts and linguists will review newly coined words, ensuring accuracy and appropriateness before official inclusion. The Rwanda Academy of Language and Culture (RALC) has the final authority to validate and incorporate terms into the dictionary.
This initiative aligns with Rwanda’s broader effort to standardize Kinyarwanda usage and promote the proper use of the native language in education, technology, and everyday communication.
