The Zimbabwean Constitution which has faced various criticisms has been brought into question once again. This time it’s for a very trivial yet embarrassing reason.
You would think that Constitution makers have a firm understanding and grasp of the English language. Particularly when that language is the one being used to write the Constitution. How else will they be able to interpret the constitution for the general public if they don’t quite get it themselves?
You’re probably wondering what this lack of understanding we’re talking about is and how it applies to the Zimbabwean Constitution. Well, a political activist took to twitter to point out an error in the Shona translation of the constitution which could be said to indicate a lack of understanding. Where the English version of the Zimbabwean Constitution refers to “potable water” the Shona one translates it to “mvura inotakurika.”
The English Dictionary defines “potable water” as follows:
Drinking water, also known as potable water, is water that is safe to drink or use for food preparation.
View the tweet below:
A recent critic of the Constitution’s Amendment Bill no2 is discussed in one of our previous articles here. The bill came into question as it was said to give President Mnangagwa more powers.
What are your thoughts? Is this just a basic mistake or should more care be taken in the making and translating of such important documents?
Let us know in the comment section below.