Table of Contents
Background
PagesForAges publishing company specializes in publishing fiction books for all ages. Of late, the company has been receiving manuscripts from community members who would like to publish stories in the local indigenous languages. The problem is that most of the editors speak English and they’re not able to oversee projects for books written in languages other than English. I have been commissioned by the chief editor Ms J Zimm, to investigate the possibility of publishing books in the indigenous local languages.
Purpose
The main purpose of this report is to investigate the possibility of publishing books in the indigenous local languages.
Objectives
- To evaluate the importance of publishing books in indigenous local languages.
- To assess the challenges and opportunities of publishing indigenous books
- To make recommendations of how the company can publish community members’ stories.
Methodology
The method that i have used was to do some research by reading articles and journals that relates to the publishing of indigenous fiction books in South Africa. This is the only method that was used to thoroughly integrate literature and possibly suggest recommendations that can help curb this problem.
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Findings
During the process of gathering information related to the topic, i have noticed that it is possible to publish local indigenous books. However, there are so many challenges surrounding the process of publishing indigenous books, but there are also benefits or opportunities available for both publishers and readers.
In this report, PagesForAges company has a challenge of lacking indigenous languages editors who can participate and oversee the project. Here are some of the challenges that most publishing companies face.
Challenges
- High rate of illiteracy which leads to lack of readership culture, especially for leisure books.
- Under utilization of indigenous languages at schools.
- Economic instability and poverty that results to lack of disposable income to purchase books, especially in the black communities.
- Lack of government support.
The submission of manuscripts by local community members is a clear sign of the market available to buy the books and the eagerness shown by authors. The company should take this opportunity into consideration and invest on the potential readers. Bellow are some of the opportunities available for publishers in the industry.
Opportunities
- To segment the market and find a niche that the publisher can deliver to and benefit from.
- Translate African stories and share them with the rest of the world.
- To save local indigenous languages from extinction.
The significant roles of publishing indigenous languages books:
- Indigenous books preserve the history and legacy of African cultures.
- They are a transmitter of knowledge from generations to generations.
- They disseminate ideas, educate and entertain readers.
Conclusion
In summation, as much as there are many challenges in publishing books in indigenous local languages, there exist greater opportunities which can be beneficial to both the readers, publisher and community authors. This will further play a vital role in the preservation of local indigenous languages and increasing readership culture in townships and rural communities.
Recommendations
- The publisher must take an initiative of investing and growing the indigenous books market.
- The government must also support publishers together with local authors with the promotional campaigns, that will influence and encourage the reading culture in townships and rural areas.
- The publisher must also conduct intensive research on topics or subjects that speaks to the readers hearts before publishing indigenous books .
- The publisher must also employ qualified translators, editors and authors that will oversee the project of publishing indigenous books.
- They must seek finance & funding from both government and the private sector to finance this project.
- The publisher must also create a distribution channel that will ease accessibility of books to the readers.
- Lastly, the publisher must partner with the government to encourage community book workshops and competitions to increase the level of readership and writing skills for aspiring future authors.
