Language appropriateness during the COVID-19 epidemic in an inclusive society focusing on persons with visual impairments, case of Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The vibe to create an inclusive society where no man is left behind has spread in most societies worldwide. However, COVID-19 pandemic is a novel phenomenon that has put the world on reboot. Most social technological advances were rendered less useful whilst in some cases people would be innovative and find a way to survive the world reboot. An inclusive society is such one social advancement where all men would live and share without discrimination or marginalization based on disabilities. Application of digitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a digital divide especially in the inclusive society where the most binding substance has been the language of conveying information on COVID-19. Having to rely on mostly English language has proved inappropriate especially in societies where English language is a third or fourth language and especially in areas that are remote like rural areas. Though, English as a language maybe translated into local vernacular languages, in such inclusive societies, there are also those with disabilities such as persons with visual impairments. This study seeks to explore the tenets of language appropriateness during COVID-19 pandemic and the ways of disseminating information in appropriate language forms in an inclusive society especially for the visually impaired.