Improved Yorùbá Language Option of the Automated Teller Machine using Translation Equivalence Model

Abstract

The introduction of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) by financial institutions has changed the face of banking globally, Nigeria inclusive. The mechanism has provided a kind of collective sigh-of-relief to both the bank and their customers, offering convenient, speedy and round the clock services. However, it is not without some inherent challenges as many bank customers who are not proficient in English language found the ATM cumbersome and unfriendly. Attempting to provide solution to these challenges, some banks in Nigeria have developed and introduced the indigenous language version of the Automated Teller Machine options. Yet, user’s response did not reflect the anticipated level of enthusiasm as a result of operational complexities and translation equivalence challenges especially for the Yoruba menu option. In view of this, this work makes an attempt to present an improved translation model introducing Yoruba tone marking to assist those who do not understand the English language, but are monolingual only in Yoruba language to effectively interact with the system. Specifically, an attempt is made to translate the menu option of Automated Teller Machine in conformity with the phonological and morphological processes in Yorùbá, following the natural strategy of lexical expansion in the Yorùbá language itself. Phrases and sentences of translation were conducted, employing equivalent model. The data (content) considered were arranged bearing in mind the principle of relatedness for proper reference and analysis. During translation, the strategies of morphological processes of semantic extension, borrowing, nominalization, indigenization and composition were used. The system framework designed to test the model was found to reflect the anticipated level of user’s enthusiasm. The research work does not only assist those who are not proficient in English language to effectively interact with the system, but also overcomes the challenges of the present design and consequently widens the scope of ATM usage in the interior parts of the country.