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This paper aims to discuss the current status of translators practising in Malaysia and their perceptions towards the profession. The study was motivated by the dearth of literature on the status of the translator’s profession in Malaysia. Past studies have shown that translation is not considered a full-fledged profession in many other countries....
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The paper discusses the issue of studying ethical aspects of translation and interpreting at universities. It is suggested to teach students on the basis of " The Language Professional's Code of Ethics ". It is recommended to associate studying ethical norms with doing practical tasks, e.g. translating papers devoted to professional ethics and disc...
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... In Setting 1, a professional translator association has yet to be established, and recent reports emphasize the need for greater public recognition of the profession and adequate legislation to prevent rogue practices (Jamoussi et al, 2024). Similarly, Kang and Shunmugam (2014) highlight a need for recognition and legislation in Setting 2. Nevertheless, the presence of three professional organizations, including a translator association, indicates that Setting 2, while not ideal, provides a relatively more developed professional context. ...
The construct of professional identity (PI) is gaining prominence in the exploration of graduate employability, which has traditionally been approached from a skills-based perspective. Despite this shift in focus, the investigation of PI formation in translator training programs remains limited. This paper examines the self-reported PI profiles of translation trainees nearing the completion of their university studies. An online survey was administered to students from two different educational settings, utilizing the Professional Identity Five-Factor Scale (PIFFS). Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted on the collected data. Results indicate that PI among the two investigated student groups is moderately developed, highlighting the limited success of curricula in fostering PI when it is not explicitly integrated as a key objective. Profiling of the identified PI reveals that the dimension of experience with the profession is particularly lacking. The study concludes that when designing translation curricula, educators need to consider PI as an essential objective rather than an incidental by-product. The research underscores the necessity for activities beyond standard classroom practices to further enhance PI. These activities should increase industry engagement within the curriculum through work-integrated learning, such as apprenticeships, internships, field placements, and practicum experiences.
... Some studies explored factors influencing translator competence development , such as curriculum design, pedagogical approaches, and industry collaboration. Kang (2014) explored the translation profession in Malaysia, focusing on translators' status and self-perceptions, highlighting key challenges faced by professionals in the translation field. Kang (2015) conducted a comparative study between the translation profession in Malaysia and Korea, offering insights into the current status of the translation profession in these two countries, and probed into the factors influencing translators' career development. ...
The rapid growth of Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI) programs in China reflects the increasing demand for high-quality translation services across multiple sectors. However, recent studies indicate a concerning trend: a significant number of Chinese MTI graduates are reluctant to pursue full-time translation careers, citing perceived inadequacies in their translator competence relative to market demands. This study investigates Chinese MTI students' self-perceptions of their current translator competence and explores the factors that influence the quality of Chinese MTI programs. By adopting a mixed-methods approach, this research combines quantitative data from surveys with qualitative insights from in-depth semi-structured interviews with MTI students from different universities in China. The findings reveal that MTI students' self-perceptions of the sub-competences of their translator competence are at medium level. This study highlights the gap between academic training and industry expectations, underscoring the need for curriculum adjustments that emphasize practical competence development and real-world exposure. These insights contribute to a better understanding of the challenges facing MTI programs in China and offer recommendations to bridge the competence gap, thus improving the employability and market readiness of future translators.
... Translators' perceptions of different societal factors have also been explored in various studies, often with unanimous results: status perceptions have generally been perceived as low to middling (Hermans and Lambert 1998;Katan 2009;Ferreira-Alves 2011), as is the visibility of the translation profession in society, leading to low societal recognition (Hermans and Lambert 1998;Ferreira-Alves 2011;Kang and Shunmugam 2014;Dam and Zethsen 2016;Heino 2020). There are, however, also accounts on how translation is perceived as societally impor-tant and meaningful and how this functions as a source of satisfaction for translators (Dam and Zethsen 2016;Heino 2020). ...
This article is an exploratory overview of research on translators’ job satisfaction (JS). We analyze the data (51 articles) for indications of (1) translators’ overall JS; (2) associations of overall JS with individual, job-intrinsic, job-extrinsic, societal, and background factors; (3) translators’ satisfaction with job-intrinsic, job-extrinsic, and societal aspects of their work. Translators’ overall JS in the data is fairly high, and it is linked to emotional intelligence, the nature of translating, autonomy, interpersonal relationships, status perceptions, working mode, gender, and experience. The translators studied are mostly happy with the job-intrinsic aspects, but their views on extrinsic and societal aspects are more divided. Gaps in research include individual factors (e.g., self-efficacy, personality traits), background factors (e.g., cultural and socio-economic differences), and the interaction of the different types of factors.
... The results of their study show that even though translation is a promising profession in Denmark, there is a quite common lack of awareness of the level of expertise that is needed to provide professional translation services. Kang and Shunmugam (2014) considered the practices of non-professional translators as a challenge which reduces the opportunities available for professional translators. Doubtless to say, amateur translators do not do their job as well as professional, well-trained translators and they may accept lower fees for their work as clients seem to look for cheaper services (see Bahloul, 2021). ...
This study is designed to evaluate the two academic translation training master's programs at two local public universities in Palestine in view of burgeoning market demands. The study reveals the weaknesses and strengths in both training programs , a step which is believed to be necessary to evaluate trainers' current practices and provide formative data about these programs and programs operating in similar contexts. To achieve this objective, the modules of the courses, the teaching and assessment methods and the challenges facing implementing and developing the curricula are all studied, bearing in mind the job market. Two questionnaires were also administered to students and translation professionals. The questionnaires address the current market demands for translator training, the performance level of novice translators, the nature of the courses and the challenges that are likely to face developing and implementing the curricula, and the methods of teaching and assessment. The study findings reveal that there are significant shortcomings in the curricula, namely the theoretical training is overemphasized and stakeholders' involvement in the review and design of the translation program curricula remains significantly undervalued. Finally, the study identifies the emerging translation text genres that occupy a significant niche in the local translation market. KEY WORDS: translation curricula, translator training, market needs, translation teaching and assessment. El presente estudio se ha diseñado con el objetivo de evaluar los dos programas de maestría de capacitación académica en traducción en dos universidades públicas de Palestina con arreglo a las crecientes demandas del mercado. El estudio revela las debilidades y fortalezas en ambos programas de capacitación, paso que juzgamos ne-cesario para evaluar las prácticas actuales de los capacitadores y proporcionar datos formativos sobre dichos programas y otros que operan en contextos similares. Para lograr este objetivo, se estudian los módulos de los cursos, los métodos de enseñanza y evaluación, así como los desafíos que es preciso superar de cara a la implementación y desarrollo de los planes de estudio, teniendo siempre en cuenta el mercado laboral. También se pasaron sendos cuestionarios a estudiantes y profesionales de la traduc-ción, en los cuales se abordan las demandas actuales del mercado para la formación de profesionales de la traducción; el nivel de rendimiento de los traductores novatos; la naturaleza de los cursos; los retos que suscitará el desarrollo e implementación de los planes de estudio, y los métodos de enseñanza y evaluación. Los resultados del estudio muestran que existen deficiencias significativas en los planes de estudio; a saber, la formación teórica se enfatiza demasiado y la participación de las partes interesadas en la revisión y el diseño de los planes de estudio del programa de traducción sigue siendo significativamente infravalorada. Finalmente, el estudio identifica los géneros emergentes de textos para traducir que ocupan un nicho significativo en el mercado local de la traducción. PALABRAS CLAVE: programas de traducción, formación de profesionales de la traduc-ción, necesidades del mercado, enseñanza y evaluación de la traducción. Translator training in Palestine in view of market demand Formación de profesionales de la traducción con arreglo a las demandas del mercado recibido en febrero de 2021 aceptado en junio de 2022
... Besides learners, English language teachers' perceptions were explored by Yee and Periasamy (2019) toward Malaysian University English Test (Muet) as an approach to measure their language proficiency. In addition, Kang and Shunmugam (2014) In the Chinese context concerning learners' perceptions of translation, Peng (2015) surveyed English majors' motivation and learning effect in translation. More specific than Peng's study, Ma (2013) analyzed third-year undergraduates' perceptions of Chinese-English translation difficulties at Beijing Foreign Studies University in China. ...
Translation is an indispensable language activity and communication method. Translation from Chinese to foreign languages, especially English, is significant to tell Chinese stories well, growing into an urgent issue in China. While cultivating translation talents is crucial, translation competence is a complicated system consisting of various sub competences. To improve English majors’ Chinese-English (C-E) translation competence, it is necessary to first investigate their perceptions of C-E translation learning and competence. Based on the preliminary mastery of English majors’ status quo in C-E translation learning and competence, this research sheds insight into the C-E translation pedagogy. This paper presented: How do English majors perceive C-E translation learning and C-E translation competence? To answer the question, this study adopted a survey research design that was quantitative and applied the instrument of two questionnaires. The multiple-choice questionnaire was to investigate their perceptions of C-E translation learning, and the five-Likert scale questionnaire was to seek their self-perceived C-E translation competence. The study was carried out in 2022 among 125 English majors at Zaozhuang University, China. The results showed that most participants recognized the importance of C-E translation and their primary purpose was to enhance bilingual proficiency, and the texts that they were most interested in translating were practical styles and on diverse topics of China. Furthermore, more than half held the active involvement of teachers and learners and over 85% affirmed the effect of group learning and individual learning. It was found that their mean score of self-perceived C-E translation competence was 2.87.
... The results of their study show that even though translation is a promising profession in Denmark, there is a quite common lack of awareness of the level of expertise that is needed to provide professional translation services. Kang and Shunmugam (2014) considered the practices of non-professional translators as a challenge which reduces the opportunities available for professional translators. Doubtless to say, amateur translators do not do their job as well as professional, well-trained translators and they may accept lower fees for their work as clients seem to look for cheaper services (see Bahloul, 2021). ...
This study is designed to evaluate the two academic translation training master’s programs at two local public universities in Palestine in view of burgeoning market demands. The study reveals the weaknesses and strengths in both training programs, a step which is believed to be necessary to evaluate trainers’ current practices and provide formative data about these programs and programs operating in similar contexts. To achieve this objective, the modules of the courses, the teaching and assessment methods and the challenges facing implementing and developing the curricula are all studied, bearing in mind the job market. Two questionnaires were also administered to students and translation professionals. The questionnaires address the current market demands for translator training, the performance level of novice translators, the nature of the courses and the challenges that are likely to face developing and implementing the curricula, and the methods of teaching and assessment. The study findings reveal that there are significant shortcomings in the curricula, namely the theoretical training is overemphasized and stakeholders’ involvement in the review and design of the translation program curricula remains significantly undervalued. Finally, the study identifies the emerging translation text genres that occupy a significant niche in the local translation market.
... Besides learners, English language teachers' perceptions were explored by Yee and Periasamy (2019) toward Malaysian University English Test (Muet) as an approach to measure their language proficiency. In addition, Kang and Shunmugam (2014) In the Chinese context concerning learners' perceptions of translation, Peng (2015) surveyed English majors' motivation and learning effect in translation. More specific than Peng's study, Ma (2013) analyzed third-year undergraduates' perceptions of Chinese-English translation difficulties at Beijing Foreign Studies University in China. ...
Translation is an indispensable language activity and communication method. Translation from Chinese to foreign languages, especially English, is significant to tell Chinese stories well, growing into an urgent issue in China. While cultivating translation talents is crucial, translation competence is a complicated system consisting of various sub competences. To improve English majors’ Chinese-English (C-E) translation competence, it is necessary to first investigate their perceptions of C-E translation learning and competence. Based on the preliminary mastery of English majors’ status quo in C-E translation learning and competence, this research sheds insight into the C-E translation pedagogy. This paper presented: How do English majors perceive C-E translation learning and C-E translation competence? To answer the question, this study adopted a survey research design that was quantitative and applied the instrument of two questionnaires. The multiple-choice questionnaire was to investigate their perceptions of C-E translation learning, and the five-Likert scale questionnaire was to seek their self-perceived C-E translation competence. The study was carried out in 2022 among 125 English majors at Zaozhuang University, China. The results showed that most participants recognized the importance of C-E translation and their primary purpose was to enhance bilingual proficiency, and the texts that they were most interested in translating were practical styles and on diverse topics of China. Furthermore, more than half held the active involvement of teachers and learners and over 85% affirmed the effect of group learning and individual learning. It was found that their mean score of self-perceived C-E translation competence was 2.87.
... The last 4 questions (no. [17][18][19][20] where the respondents have to state their own opinion. Therefore, no chart or graph are available. ...
Despite a long history of interpreting, Malaysia and many other nations are still lagging behind in the evolution of this profession. In fact, interpreting is still regarded as a low-status, semi-professional career that has not yet evolved into a completely professional career due to not fulfilling the requirements of a professional career. The study identifies the challenges and issues faced by novice translators and interpreters in Malaysia and whether these challenges affect their profession or not. The study also highlights the challenges that influence translator identity, which leads to a careful consideration of solutions that might help pave the way for the recognition of translators as respectable professionals in Malaysia. The study made use of a qualitative approach and a structured questionnaire where 27 participants were selected from 3 different institutions, namely, Management and Science University (MSU), University Sains Malaysia (USM), and University Putra Malaysia (UPM). The structured questionnaire has been used as an instrument in this study. The study finds out the main challenges faced by the novice translators and interpreters in Malaysia, including but not limited to; inadequate students' knowledge in translation and interpretation due to the lack of resources, the lack of lecturers and subject experts who hold both academic and industrial expertise in translation and interpreting in the higher education institutions in Malaysia, moreover, the lack of appreciation for the role of translator and interpreter in Malaysian society. The research concludes that a clear relationship between the level of expertise of the subject lecturer and novice translators' or interpreters' challenges was discovered. Such detailed investigations of the relationship would be identified and discussed to provide possible starting points for advanced related studies.
... This last situation is visible in the translation area. Bell (as cited in Kang & Shunmugam, 2014) states that translators see themselves as a bridge between two or more cultures. Kang and Shunmugam (2014) consider translation a complex process where a variety of strategies is used to process the source language into a target language. ...
... Bell (as cited in Kang & Shunmugam, 2014) states that translators see themselves as a bridge between two or more cultures. Kang and Shunmugam (2014) consider translation a complex process where a variety of strategies is used to process the source language into a target language. Unfortunately, many in society, including students themselves, perceive that anyone who is bilingual can translate a text. ...
Stereotypes can greatly influence our decisions in our daily life. For students, it can affect their future. Having to choose what you want to do for the rest of your life based on wrong ideas can be devastating and demotivating. The purpose of this inquiry is to identify the freshmen student of translation stereotypes about the language science bachelor. It also aims to identify the reasons why they decided to study this bachelor, and their plans after graduation. A qualitative methodology with a phenomenological design was used to identify these stereotypes and reasons. Accordingly, an open-questionnaire was applied to a group of 48 first year students to obtain a most realistic version of their previews ideas about translation. At first, the results of the questionnaire seemed consistent with the first ideas of the idealization and the frequent wrong labels about the translation field. Overall, the results of this research provided general categories in the following areas: the reason why freshmen translator decided to study the bachelor, the expectations about their future jobs, and the importance of vocational orientation classes in high school to persuade pupils to enter this bachelor's degree. In the future, the questionnaire can be applied again to the same students in order to see if their career perception changed and, if so, how much it did.
... Within this sociological paradigm in TS (Arı, 2014;Chesterman, 2009;Gouanvic, 2005;Inghilleri, 2005;Paloposki, 2016;Wolf & Fukari, 2007), there is a plethora of studies focusing on the status and professional identity of translators (Dam& Zethsen, 2008, 2010Godbout, 2016;Katan, 2009;Sela-Sheffy, 2016;Shavn, Ruokonen & Salmi, 2018;Ruokonen, 2013Ruokonen, , 2016Venuti, 1986); professionalization in translation and the status of the translation profession in different countries (Dam& Koskinen, 2016;Godbout, 2012;Gouadec, 2007;Kafi, Khoshsaligheh& Hashemi, 2018;Kang& Shunmugam, 2014;Katan, 2011;Seguinot, 2007;Stejkal, 2005;Uysal, 2015Uysal, , 2017aUysal, , 2017bPym, Grin, Sfreddo & Chan, 2012;Yılmaz-Gümüş, 2018); state of the translation industry (Abraham-Barna& Abraham- Barna, 2016;Massardo& Van de Meer, 2017;Romaine & Richardson, 2009;Nimdzi, 2018;Pym et.al. 2012;Pym, Orrego-Carmona& Torres-Simón, 2016), discussions on the roles of potential signals of translator competencies (certification, academic degrees, membership of translator organizations) on the translation industry (Chan, 2008(Chan, , 2013 and translator certification procedures (Budin et. ...
... As Katan (2009, p. 113) also puts forward, the translation profession is "almost totally unregulated"; therefore, anyone can practice the trade; there is no agreed or policed (national/international) professional code of conduct or quality control, and there is no one practicing body or association to refer concerning the translator and translation profession. Lack of a translators chamber or guild seems to be the main challenge for the professionalization of translation as claimed in numerous studies (Kang, 2015;Kang& Shunmugam, 2014;Kafi et. al. 2018;Setton& Liangliang 2011). ...
