Translating AIDS Terminology In Ivorian Languages

Faced with unknown notions or items all languages use various strategies for creating new terms enabling them to cope with development issues. One area where term creation is prolific is HIVAIDS. There is a growing need to translate medical guides as to the nature of the disease how it is transmitted and how it can be treated. However translation of such terms can pose enormous challenges to translators of African languages. This study is a survey of terms dealing with this subject in four Ivoirian languages representing the four major linguistic families of Ivory Coast. Various strategies are adopted including word formation transliteration as well as adoption of known items egg insect etc. to refer to unknown elements such as virus. After describing the various processes of new term creation we elaborate on how these items can be fully integrated into the language.