MSUNLI has four units headed by chairpersons:
Language Development Unit
The Unit strives to develop terminologies, orthographies, encyclopedias, thesauruses, language corpora, databases and literature (instructional materials, grammar, creative works, manuals) for Zimbabwe’s officially recognized indigenous languages. The primary role of the unit is to research on, and document, all the officially recognized languages so that they can effectively be harnessed for sustainable socio-economic development of Zimbabwe. This entails empowering the languages for usability through language raising aimed at tapping from the full potential of indigenous languages and people. The unit also has a programme to digitise the languages so that they can be compatible and/-or be in compliance with the 21st Century ICT linguistic demands. This will enable the languages to drive the nation towards globalization and internationalization. This entails developing language databases, corpora, e-dictionaries, talking dictionaries, phonics (voice-text function), spell checkers, data processors, phonological, morphological and syntactic parsers, computer aided translation resources, computer aided second language acquisition digital resources (concept-voice link function) and animations (folklore, indigenous games, legendary stories, anthropological stories, indigenous religious narratives).
Techno-Scientific Services Unit
The Unit is dedicated to the sourcing and supplying of digital solutions to support the day-to-day functions of the Institute. It also endeavours to offer ICT or computational services to all the units in the Institute. This entails offering quality techno-scientific services in areas such as digitization, encoding, photography, erecting and maintaining language digital infrastructure, multi-modal data processing infrastructure, data processing laboratories, Sign Language and Braille equipment. It is dedicated to providing specialized services that are designed and customized entirely around MSUNLI business that demands ICT solutions. In other words, it supports the various projects in the numerous units in terms of hardware and software solutions, typesetting, and converting documents from various versions to the respective versions. The researchers in the unit, research and do value addition to ICT systems at the Institute to ensure compliance with the 21st Century ICT systems.
Language Consultancy Services Unit
The Unit offers 21st Century language services with the aim of enhancing the full participation of native speakers of all the officially recognized languages in the national development agenda, to ensure the achievement of Zimbabwe’s vision 2030, Africa Agenda 2063 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Some of the language services include, but not limited to, editing, translation, script writing, report writing, interpreting, speech therapy, second language teaching, material development, forensic services, ethnography, language intellectualization, MPhil and DPhil supervision, short courses in language proficiency (second language acquisition) and publishing.
Special Needs Language Services Unit
This Unit is dedicated to the provision of Sign Language and Braille services to ensure that the Deaf and those who are visually impaired fully participate in developmental issues of the country as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, in line with Vision 2030, Africa Agenda 2063, the Millennium Development Goals and the National Disability Policy of Zimbabwe. The Unit translates, transcribes and encodes documents from print, text or audio to Braille or Sign Language and vice-versa. Some other product formats are Braille booklets, DVDs and so on. The Unit also conducts research to provide digital and 21st Century solutions to communication and empowering people through language and assistive writing technology. At a higher level, the Unit provides audiometric tests and eye assessment using 21st Century advanced technology such as Snellen chart. The Unit also offers short courses in Braille and Sign Language.