Pemprofesionalan Amalan Terjemahan dan Kejurubahasaan di Malaysia: Satu Tinjauan Awal (The Professionalisation of Translation and Interpreting Practice in Malaysia: A Preliminary Study)

Amalan terjemahan dan kejurubahasaan (T&K) sudah lama bertapak di Malaysia dan semakin rancak berkembang, namun ia masih dilaksanakan tanpa sebarang kerangka profesional yang dapat memelihara integriti, status dan mutu perkhidmatan T&K. Selaras dengan usaha pemprofesionalan T&K yang giat dilaksanakan di serata dunia terutamanya di negara maju, Malaysia perlu mengambil langkah yang sama. Untuk menggerakkan usaha pemprofesionalan amalan terjemahan di Malaysia, kajian ini melakukan satu tinjauan awal terhadap landskap semasa amalan T&K di Malaysia dan contoh model pemprofesionalan T&K di negara maju. Landskap semasa amalan T&K di Malaysia dikaji menggunakan kaedah kajian dokumen, perbincangan meja bulat dan tinjauan soal selidik terhadap pengamal terjemahan untuk mendapatkan maklumat terkini tentang organisasi penterjemah dan jurubahasa, penyedia program pendidikan dan latihan T&K, dan pengamal T&K serta pandangan mereka tentang usaha pemprofesionalan. Sementara itu, model pemprofesionalan negara maju yang dipilih untuk kajian ini ialah model yang diguna pakai di United Kingdom dan Australia. Dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa landskap semasa industri T&K di Malaysia sudah bersedia untuk memulakan proses pemprofesionalan. Namun demikian, proses tersebut memerlukan satu pendekatan tersendiri yang berbeza dengan profesion lain. Proses tersebut perlu bersifat sukarela kecuali untuk sektor terjemahan tertentu, dan perlu mengambil kira peranan pengamal bukan profesional dalam masyarakat. Proses tersebut juga perlu diterajui oleh sebuah badan yang tidak mempunyai sebarang percanggahan kepentingan. Selain itu, satu kod etika profesional dan daftar pengamal profesional dengan akses terbuka perlu diwujudkan. Akhir sekali, untuk memastikan kelancaran proses pemprofesionalan tersebut, satu kempen kesedaran tentang profesion T&K perlu dilancarkan. Kata kunci: Amalan terjemahan; amalan kejurubahasaan; pemprofesionalan; penterjemah profesional; jurubahasa profesional ABSTRACT Although the practice of translation and interpreting (T&I) has long existed in Malaysia and is developing rapidly, it still lacks a professional framework, the purpose of which is to preserve the integrity, status, and quality of T&I services. In line with the current development of T&I across the world and the professionalisation of T&I practice especially in developed countries, it is timely for Malaysia to take the necessary steps in the same direction. With the intention of moving the professionalisation agenda forward, this study conducts a preliminary investigation on the current landscape of T&I practice in Malaysia and on examples of professionalisation models adopted in developed countries. The current landscape of T&I practice in Malaysia is examined using document review, roundtable discussions and a survey to obtain up-to-date information on translator and interpreter organisations, T&I education and training providers, and T&I practitioners and their views on professionalisation. Meanwhile, the professionalisation models of developed countries selected for the study are those of the UK and Australia. Findings of the study suggest that the current landscape of the Malaysian T&I practice is ready for the professionalisation process. Nevertheless, this process requires a unique approach which is different from that adopted for other professions. The process must be voluntary in nature except for certain T&I subfields and must take into consideration the role of non-professionals in society. Furthermore, the body in charge of the professionalisation process must not have any conflict of interest. A professional code of ethics, and an open-access professional register must also be created. Finally, an awareness campaign on the T&I profession must be launched. Keywords: Translation practice; interpreting practice; professionalisation; professional translator; professional interpreter