ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the history and state of the art of MT research and development in South Africa for South African languages. It first provides an overview of the lead-up to MT development in South Africa, highlighting some related research, as well as the development of tools and data that could support MT in South Africa indirectly. It then gives an overview of the first initiatives by the South African government to support the development of MT for South African languages. It also discusses individual research and development projects on MT for South African languages before describing in more detail the Autshumato project, South Africa’s first consolidated national MT project for South African languages. It concludes with a look-ahead to post-Autshumato initiatives and possibilities for MT in South Africa.
