The widely used web search engine in Zimbabwe, Google, offers a localised webpage with an option to change the language from English to African languages for users to find information using their favoured languages. This article interrogates the practicality of the localised Google webpage which is also available in ChiShona, IsiNdebele, Chichewa and Setswana, over and above English, the main language. The enquiry employs the qualitative research approach, specifically the survey method. Empirical data were collected from conveniently and purposively selected African language academics and students using unstructured questionnaires, personal and group interviews. Elements of linguistic imperialism and electronic colonisation concepts are deployed to explain African language use on the Internet, in the context of English language dominance in Zimbabwe and the global digital divide. While localisation of the Google webpage to some extent demonstrates global multilingual inclusivity, the article shows its redundancy in the context of present language policy and practices that promote English. We maintain that while the discourse of linguistic inclusivity is important and applauded, presently the localised Google webpage is ineffectual due to the entrenched English language hegemony nationally, and on the Internet. This study is a significant addition to the burgeoning body of scholarship on African language use in the digital public sphere.

中文翻译：

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在数字公共领域中使用非洲语言：津巴布韦本地化Google网页的功能

Google在津巴布韦广泛使用的网络搜索引擎提供了一个本地化的网页，并提供了将语言从英语更改为非洲语言的选项，以便用户使用自己喜欢的语言查找信息。本文探讨了本地化Google网页的实用性，除了主要语言英语之外，该网页还可以在ChiShona，IsiNdebele，Chichewa和Setswana中使用。查询采用定性研究方法，特别是调查方法。使用非结构化问卷，个人和小组访谈，从方便，有针对性地选择非洲语言学者和学生中收集经验数据。语言帝国主义和电子殖民概念的要素被用来解释互联网上非洲语言的使用，在津巴布韦的英语主导地位和全球数字鸿沟中。虽然Google网页的本地化在某种程度上证明了全球多语言的包容性，但本文在当前的英语语言政策和实践中显示了它的冗余性。我们坚持认为，尽管语言包容性的讨论很重要并受到人们的欢迎，但由于全国范围内根深蒂固的英语霸权，以及在互联网上，目前本地化的Google网页是无效的。这项研究是对数字公共领域中非洲语言使用的新兴奖学金体系的重要补充。这篇文章显示了在现行英语政策和实践中推广英语的多余之处。我们坚持认为，尽管语言包容性的讨论很重要并受到人们的欢迎，但由于全国范围内根深蒂固的英语霸权，以及在互联网上，目前本地化的Google网页是无效的。这项研究是对数字公共领域中非洲语言使用的新兴奖学金体系的重要补充。这篇文章显示了在现行英语政策和实践中推广英语的多余之处。我们坚持认为，尽管语言包容性的讨论很重要并受到人们的欢迎，但由于全国范围内根深蒂固的英语霸权，以及在互联网上，目前本地化的Google网页是无效的。这项研究是对数字公共领域中非洲语言使用的新兴奖学金体系的重要补充。