TTM

We make digital tools and resources to learn about microbial worlds in African words.

At Tũnyamũ twĩ muoyo (TTM), we produce and localize science communication in African languages through a trained team of translators and science communicators. We aim to make biological and life-science knowledge especially around cells, microbes, and health accessible and meaningful to non-expert audiences through clear, culturally grounded communication delivered via digital platforms.

Why we talk about biological cells and the microbes that sometimes infect them:

  • At Tũnyamũ twĩ muoyo (TTM), we produce and localize communication about microbes and related life-science topics in African languages through a trained team of translators and science communicators, making this knowledge accessible to non-expert audiences.
  • Microbes are among the most abundant and important forms of life on Earth. They play essential roles in human health, agriculture, and the environment—both as causes of disease and as contributors to processes such as digestion, immunity, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem balance. Because of their direct impact on everyday life, understanding microbes is important for informed health and environmental decisions.
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Our guiding principles:

  • We aim to increase dialogues about the microbial sciences in the every-day languages that people speak regularly on the African Continent.
  • Languages hold culture and ways of knowing and understanding the world. Therefore, by increasing dialogues about technical scientific information in our mother tongues, we increase the dynamic range of understanding in the same breath.

Big picture:

Language can act as an enabling or limiting factor in the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge. When learning materials are not available in languages people use daily, additional cognitive effort is required to interpret both language and concept, which can reduce learning efficiency (Cognitive Load Theory; Sweller et al., 2011). There are news-resources that discuss health in African Languages, we want to include more science to the dialogue

Tũnyamũ twĩ muoyo (TTM) works to produce and localize science and technical communication in African languages through a team of translators and science communicators. We support improved access to knowledge in education, health, and workforce training contexts.

Learn about our Projects:

Nurturing curiosity:

Extensive studies have shown that students learn better and with more agency in languages that they understand. We believe that this principle applies to science engagement as well. Thus, we aim to nurture curiosity and agency about the natural world by empowering people to engage with modern research findings alongside their already existing knowledge in their every-day languages.

How do we nurture curiosity about microbes?