According to Wells Fargo Bank (2014), a deposit slip is a document which refers to a form of printed paper provided by a bank to its customers for the purpose of filling in information related to the addition of funds in an account. They further state that a ‘deposit slip is a form supplied by a bank for a depositor to fill out, designed to document in categories the items included in the deposit transaction’.
Murwamphida (2008:130) asserts that a deposit slip is a crucial document on which the clients completes the requested banking details in order to deposit the money. It is crucial, because if it happens to be done incorrectly, the deposited money may end up in another account or at times even get lost.
The researcher observed that in most cases, where majority of clients were Northern Sotho speakers, deposit slips were issued in English. For clients to be able to complete the deposit
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slips correctly, it should be made available in Northern Sotho. Awoniyi (1982:151) indicates that English is used as a language of administration. Since banks service people on a daily basis, such people should be catered for in the language they understand best. By accommodating clients and granting Northern Sotho customers the opportunity to communicate in their language, bank personnel should take care of them (the Northern Sotho speakers).
Nord (1992:28) identifies the importance of translation in this case when she defines translation as the production of a functional target text maintaining a relationship with a given source text that is specified according to the intended or demanded function of the target text.
In Murwamphida’s (2008:132) study, the process of depositing money by using a computer is also frequently utilised nowadays. Customers are requested to log in their personal pin number. After entering the personal pin number, the client is instructed to press the enter button (Murwamphida, 2008:131). The researcher observed that the language used to guide clients on how and what to do on the slip is English. Usage of indigenous African languages, including Northern Sotho, was ignored by the majority of banks. It is important for the slips to be written in Northern Sotho in order to minimise mistakes and confusion.
Webb (nd) stipulates that language is the central instrument of communication (albeit not the only one); it ought to be equally clear that language is central to the attainment of the goals of economic development in a country. However, decision-makers in economic development, seem to be oblivious of this need, possibly because language is such an interwoven part of human existence that people do not seem to pay attention to its role in life. In so far as language is experienced as ‘a problem’ in the formal sphere (whether public or private) it is generally only linked with the workers’ ability to ‘write reports’. This means that the role of language is reduced to a means of transferring information, since language is an instrument of communication. Banks should make use of languages that accommodate their clients. Banks that use languages that accommodate their clients grow as they receive support.
89 4.2.5 Electronic Banking
Electronic banking may be in the form of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). The ATM is an unattended electronic machine in a public place, connected to a data system and related equipment and activated by a bank customer to obtain cash withdrawals and other banking services (Merriam- Webster Dictionary, 2012). ATM transactions involve withdrawing or depositing cash from an ATM machine. The consumer enters a personal identification number (PIN) to verify identity, the checking account is checked for sufficient funds, and if everything is satisfactory. The researcher observed especially older people who had difficulty operating the tellers and they also did not understand the English used.
Currently, ABSA ATMs recognise 11 official languages. The first step by an ABSA ATM is to insert the ABSA card. After inserting the card the ATM gives the client an opportunity to select the client’s language of choice, therefore, for client(s) who will choose Northern Sotho from ABSA ATM, the terminology reads as follows:
Insert the personal pin number (Tsentša nomoro ya gago);
Type of account (Mohuta wa akhaonte); and
Amount withdrawn (Tšhelete yeo o e nyakago).
The ATM communicates with the client in Northern Sotho until the end of the transaction. Moreover, in areas whereby ATM machines are available, messages to clients are written to inform them or alert them about something. Most warning messages in most banks are written in English if not Afrikaans.
It is important to give clients an opportunity to use the language that they better understand because clients are important. ABSA bank, in Capricorn and Mopani Districts, have realised the importance of their clients by giving them an opportunity to use the language of their choice.
Clients, therefore, understand their financial status because communication takes place in the language they understand clearly.
90 4.2.6 Internet Banking
Today, technology plays a significant role in people’s lives. People are obliged to adjust as technology changes fast. In most cases, English is used when one performs internet banking.
Those who do not understand English will not understand. The use of official languages, which includes Northern Sotho, should be taken into consideration when doing internet banking.
Badernhost (1994:49) argues that:
If you have a computer and you subscribe to the internet, you can do most of your banking on-line. You have to register at your bank and thereafter you are able to log on to your account through the internet. The basic transactions you will be able to perform are balance enquiries, statement enquiries and transfers. You will also be able to see account information, do airtime purchase transactions and see the transaction log for a specific period of time.
All processes of performing internet banking are easy if all official languages are given an opportunity. Northern Sotho should be given an opportunity to facilitate communication during the process of internet banking.