Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Administration Instructions of the Developmental Test of Visual Perception 3rd Edition for isiZulu-Speaking Children

Abstract

Background: Visual perceptual skills are vital for developing academic skills and contribute to language development and socio-cultural participation. The Developmental Test of Visual Perception 3rd Edition evaluates visual perceptual skills but is only available in English. IsiZulu is the most spoken language in South Africa, English being the fourth. Aim of the study: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the administration instructions of the Developmental Test of Visual Perception 3rd Edition into isiZulu. Design: Qualitatively driven multimethod sequential design. Setting: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Free State Province, North West Province and Gauteng Province, South Africa Participants: Six translators/contributors, five isiZulu-speaking occupational therapists and ten isiZulu-speaking children. Methods: The translation and adaptation progressed through five steps: forward translation, committee synthesis, back-translation, committee synthesis and pre-test. Qualitative feedback on the functional, cultural and conceptual equivalence was obtained at various intervals. Significance: This study promotes authentic assessment for isiZulu-speaking children and a framework for the cross-cultural adaptation of assessment instruments. Conclusion: This study describes a rigorous methodology for translating and cross-culturally adapting the administration instructions of the Developmental Test of Visual Perception 3rd Edition into isiZulu to advance its authenticity within the South African context. The methodology proved successful in maintaining functional, cultural and conceptual equivalence.