Literacy is the key to unlocking opportunities, but this extends far beyond the ability to read and write. With limitless access to information in the digital age, the barriers that become more evident are how language barriers become literacy barriers, locking people out of certain fields.
This is the problem that many South Africans face. On the one hand, our rich cultural landscape with its many languages and dialects makes us a unique nation that attracts interest from across the globe, but when it comes to developing our economy and conducting business, we find ourselves across shop counters and desks grasping for the right word.
Enter the SimplyBiz Multilingual Glossary.
The SimplyBiz Multilingual Glossary is a Game-Changer
A multilingual glossary works like a dictionary. It contains a list of words, with clear definitions and descriptions, and just like a bilingual dictionary, it gives you the correct translation. However, a multilingual glossary goes one step further: it offers a multitude of languages. In the case of the SimplyBiz Multilingual Glossary, it offers 11 languages — all of South Africa’s official written languages.
Building on this idea, the glossary contains words from many spheres in business, covering topics such as banking, finance, legal documents, and funding. The aim is to dispel confusion and make financial inclusion possible and less intimidating.
Simply put: It’s a practical, inclusive tool designed to make the language of business easier to understand for entrepreneurs across South Africa.
What it Covers
The glossary covers key areas every business owner encounters:
- Finance and Banking: Understand terms like cash flow, profit, interest, overdrafts, credit, and budgeting — so you can speak confidently to banks and advisors.
- Legal and Compliance: Get clarity on contracts, registrations, employment terms, and compliance obligations before you sign.
- Business Operations: Learn the everyday language of running a business — from invoicing and pricing to suppliers and expenses.
- Marketing and Sales: Understand the terms behind branding, digital marketing, customer acquisition, and sales growth.
- Funding and Growth: Demystify funding, grants, loans, and financial planning so you can make informed growth decisions.
The Multilingual Business Glossary, By SimplyBiz®
SimplyBiz is a free resource for business owners by business owners and powered by Nedbank as part of their Banking and Beyond® commitment. It is open to every entrepreneur in South Africa – whether they bank with Nedbank or not.
With over 15 years of empowering small businesses, global recognition at the G20 Summit, and the prestigious Digital Banker Award for Best SME Beyond Banking Innovation, you’re in expert hands. Join thousands of entrepreneurs already benefiting from practical tools, business knowledge, and growth opportunities. Register with SimplyBiz today and discover why world-class, relevant business support should remain accessible to everyone.
According to SimplyBiz, their motivation for creating the business glossary was their firsthand experience; they witnessed how often small businesses miss opportunities simply because the language isn’t accessible.
The entrepreneurs they work with shared that they don’t apply for funding, delay decisions, or sign documents they don’t fully understand — not because they lack ability, but because the terminology creates a barrier.
This glossary exists to remove that barrier.
Any South African who wants to understand business terminology can sign up to the SimplyBiz platform and download the SimplyBiz Multilingual Business Glossary for free. No hidden costs!
Benefits of using the glossary include:
- Building confidence when engaging with banks and professionals
- Making informed decisions before signing agreements
- Understanding opportunities instead of feeling excluded
- Learning at your own pace, without judgement
- Sharing knowledge with your team or community
Developing the SimplyBiz Multilingual Business Glossary
The SimplyBiz Multilingual Business Glossary was created in collaboration with Melusi Tshabalala from Everyday Speak, bringing together real-world business understanding and deep linguistic expertise. This collaboration ensured that the glossary goes beyond direct translation — it captures meaning, context, and how business language is actually used by the people who need it most, not academics or business execs. It breaks away jargon to deliver a clear and
Today, the glossary contains over 400 essential business terms, clearly explained and translated into all South African languages.
What’s more, it’s designed to evolve alongside entrepreneurs’ needs. This means that all glossary users are invited to share their experience with SimplyBiz so the content can be refined, expanded, or improved.
You can download the multilingual glossary from SimplyBiz for free.
