A People Divided by a Common Language: The Orthography of Sesotho in Lesotho and South Africa and the Implications for Bible Translation
Abstract
The Basotho of Lesotho and South Africa speak the same language but do not use the same orthography when writing Sesotho. This orthographic difference poses significant challenges when Bible translators translate into Sesotho. This paper provides a historical examination of the problem beginning with early French missionary efforts, and explores possible scenarios for resolving the problem.