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In:New Perspectives on Mauritian Creole and Reunion Creole: Standardization, grammar and language use
Edited by Muhsina Alleesaib and Julie Lefort
[Contact Language Library 61] 2025
► pp. 207–228

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Chapter 7
Towards the construction of technical vocabulary in Kreol Morisien

An insight into mathematics and astronomy

 | Mauritius Institute of Education
Published online: 7 April 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/coll.61.07ooz
Abstract
This chapter examines theoretical and methodological processes associated with the proposal to create technical vocabulary in Kreol Morisien for mathematics and astronomy. Drawing on the eco-sociolinguistic epistemological stance of Oozeerally et al. (2014), and an ongoing MIE-funded research project, this chapter uses a sample corpus from a Grade 7 Mathematics book and an online astronomy glossary to test the transcontextual vehicularity (TcV) framework, as well as the preferences of potential users based on reception tests. It also discusses the challenges involved with developing a special-purpose lexicography for Kreol Morisien, considering the multilingual context and the standardisation efforts in Mauritius. It also aims to contribute to research and policy endeavours related to lexicology, lexicography, and language planning in multilingual contexts.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Revisiting the ecological TcV framework
  • 3.Application and analysis of sample
    • 3.1High TcV words
      • 3.1.1Astronomy
      • 3.1.2Mathematics
    • 3.2Low TcV words
      • 3.2.1Astronomy
      • 3.2.2Mathematics
  • 4.Reception test: Insights from the 2014 study
    • 4.1Results and findings
      • 4.1.1Choice of direct loanwords
      • 4.1.2The issue of homonymy
      • 4.1.3Alternative equivalents
      • 4.1.4Remarks on domain-specificity and technical aspects of words
        • Ratio being translated as proporsion
  • 5.Adapting the reception test for the present study
  • 6.Analysis and findings
    • 6.1Terms that do not correspond to the expectations based on the TcV framework
    • 6.2The case of ‘counting number’
  • 7.Some implications
  • 8.Concluding comments
  • Notes
  • References
References (28)
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