Kuala lumpur: Literary works play a vital role in promoting unity and harmony among Malaysia's communities by deepening readers' understanding of issues related to different cultures and religions. Experts say strengthening inter-ethnic understanding is increasingly crucial today, as social, political, and economic divides have made race relations more fragmented.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, various bodies, including Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), associations, and local as well as international universities, are striving to translate works across languages to encourage Malaysians to broaden their knowledge of other communities. However, experts note that these efforts remain insufficient, particularly when it comes to translating works between Chinese and Malay, as the focus has mostly been on translations between English and Malay.
Over a 10-year period up to 2022, the Institut Terjemahan Buku Malaysia (ITBM) produced 840 translations from English to Malay and 131 from Malay to English. In contrast, only 29 Malay-language titles were translated into Mandarin, and 19 Mandarin-language books into Malay during the same period.
President of the Malaysian Translation and Creative Writing Association (PERSPEKTIF), Lim Chuan Boon, highlighted that translated works help promote mutual understanding and unity among Malaysia's multi-ethnic society. However, he noted that the number of modern local Chinese literary works, known as mahua, has been dwindling in recent years. Lim explained that translation as a field is less attractive to the younger generation due to the relatively low income compared to the effort involved.
In addition to collaborating with DBP and educational institutions to hold Chinese-Malay translation workshops, several local universities now offer courses designed to equip young people with strong bilingual skills and sound translation techniques. This aims to produce a new generation that can serve as a bridge between two cultures and improve Malay proficiency among Chinese students.
The digital revolution has brought sweeping changes through artificial intelligence (AI) in language learning and translation. Dr. Boh Phaik Ean, a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, acknowledged the improvements in AI translation quality. However, she stressed that AI cannot replace human translators entirely, as translation involves an interaction between cultures. Boh warned that excessive reliance on AI could lead to serious mistakes with major consequences.
Boh emphasized the potential for growth in the translation industry, particularly for Malay-related translations. High demand for translations from Chinese to Malay opens up job opportunities, especially from Chinese companies and agencies. She noted that translation helps bridge language gaps, reduce misunderstandings, and encourage knowledge exchange between China and Malaysia.
Chairman of DBP's Board of Governors, Datuk Dr. Mohd Anuar Rethwan, underscored the importance of translators in conveying cultural nuances. He stated that AI cannot replicate the human touch required in translation, emphasizing the need for translators who truly understand both the source and target languages. Translation is not just about words; it is about connecting different worlds, understanding cultures, and fostering harmony.