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Home > JOURNAL > Vol. 12 (2023) > Number 2

 

Kim-Fong Choo

Abstract

Malaysia is a diverse nation comprising different ethnicities such as Malays and other indigenous communities of Sabah and Sarawak, Chinese, Indians, and others. This multi-ethnic composition has engendered a complex sociolinguistic landscape, where not everyone proficiently masters Malay and English, despite these being compulsory subjects in primary and secondary education. In the Malaysian judicial system, the practice of utilising interpreters to facilitate court proceedings is well-established. The purpose of this study is to examine the current practice of court interpretation and the problems and issues that it faces now and in the future. These challenges encompass the availability of competent interpreters and employment conditions such as the workload, salaries, and training. Additionally, the study will delve into the long-term viability and sustainability of the court interpretation profession. Notably, our primary focus will be on Chinese interpreters, who are recognised for their exceptional language skills among court interpreters. To comprehensively address these issues, this research will rely on an array of published sources, online references, and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in different localities. These respondents include active and retired Chinese court interpreters, legal professionals, and government officers. Through this mixed approach, it is possible to gain a nuanced understanding of the court interpretation profession, pinpoint the root causes of its challenges, and explore potential solutions. Our findings reveal a pressing shortage of qualified interpreters, caused by excessive workloads and insufficient rewards. Court interpreters hold a pivotal role in ensuring the effective administration of justice in Malaysia, particularly in cases requiring cross-linguistic comprehension. To minimise the likelihood of linguistic misinterpretation and possible worsening of the interpretation profession, it is imperative that serious issues confronting this profession be addressed to safeguard the proper functioning of the judiciary.

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