About ISS

Isikhungo Sesichazamazwi SesiZulu National Lexicography Unit is one of the eleven National Lexicography Units in South Africa that were established by Act of Parliament (PanSALB Amendment Act 10 of 1999). The main springboard of the Unit is the compilation of isiZulu monolingual dictionary. The Unit also compiles other lexicographic spin-offs such as bilingual/trilingual dictionaries, concise dictionaries on fauna and flora and pocket dictionaries.

Mission of the Unit

The mission of Isikhungo Sesichazamazwi SesiZulu is:

• To compile an explanatory monolingual dictionary
  Linguistic pollution of the isiZulu language is caused by the shortage of monolingual dictionaries in the language. Some beautiful words and or expressions have fallen into disuse as a result of the shortage of explanatory monolingual dictionaries. Monolingual explanatory dictionaries alleviate uncertainty and instil confidence on the mother tongue speakers of the language.
• To promote and facilitate the use of isiZulu language through dictionaries and other lexicographic products.
• To preserve pure isiZulu language
  The dictionary is the only reliable source of preserving the language in its pure form. Linguistic changes and words whose primary forms are not easily determined are recorded in the dictionary.