Professor Herbert Mushangwe: Bridging Zimbabwe and China Through Language Innovation

Zimbabwean academic Professor Herbert Mushangwe, also known by his Chinese name Li Kaiming, is transforming language learning by creating innovative methods to teach Shona to Chinese speakers. His work is helping to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps between Zimbabwe and China, fostering mutual understanding beyond conventional diplomacy.

Born in Chivi, Masvingo, Mushangwe pursued advanced studies in China, where his exposure to multiple languages and cultures inspired him to specialise in Chinese Linguistics and Applied Linguistics. This foundation has positioned him as a leading voice in comparative and applied linguistics, particularly in the use of technology to enhance language learning.

A key focus of Mushangwe’s research is pronunciation. His project, De-foreignising a Sound: Computer-assisted Pronunciation Practice in Learning a Foreign Language, explores how voice-recognition software can help learners overcome pronunciation challenges and build confidence. He emphasizes that mastering language is crucial to strengthening Sino-Zimbabwean relations. “Learning a language is part and parcel of Sino-Zimbabwe relations; the goal is to ensure that we have beneficial mutual relations,” he explained.

In 2015, Mushangwe achieved a landmark milestone with the publication of the first Shona-Chinese and Chinese-Shona dictionaries. The project began in 2007, inspired by the lack of mother-tongue resources for African students. Observing that Japanese and Korean students had dictionaries linking their languages to Chinese, Mushangwe recognised a gap for African learners. “I saw Japanese students with their Japanese-Chinese dictionaries, Korean students with their Korean-Chinese dictionaries, and it was only me and my fellow Africans who never had a dictionary of our own. So that was the motivation,” he said.

Over time, Mushangwe reassessed the role of traditional dictionaries in a digital world. He acknowledged that social media, online resources, and language-learning applications have changed how students access information. He later critiqued his own dictionary work and shifted towards modern, learner-centred approaches.

Collaborating with institutions like the Confucius Institute, Mushangwe now focuses on digital and interactive teaching methods that place Shona and Chinese on equal footing. His approach promotes cultural understanding while making language learning more engaging. “We’re working on projects to modernise learning approaches, making Chinese learning more accessible and engaging. Pronunciation helps to build confidence. When we teach Chinese, we develop strategies to help students cope,” he said.

Through his work, Professor Herbert Mushangwe continues to redefine the way languages are taught, showing that innovation, technology, and cultural empathy can transform learning and strengthen international relationships.