Literary works play a vital role in promoting unity and harmony among Malaysia’s diverse 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.
Holding to the proverb reading is the bridge to knowledge, 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 from Chinese to Malay and vice versa, as the focus has mostly been on translating works between English and Malay.
For comparison, 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.
CHALLENGES IN THE TRANSLATION INDUSTRY
President of the Malaysian Translation & Creative Writing Association (PERSPEKTIF), Lim Chuan Boon, said his association has been proactive in cross-cultural translation and the creation of Chinese and Malay literary works since its establishment 39 years ago.
He said translated works can help promote mutual understanding and unity among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society, while also strengthening Malaysia-China cooperation in translation, literary creation, and socio-cultural exchange.
However, Lim noted that the number of modern local Chinese literary works, known as mahua—which include poetry, short stories, drama, rhythmic prose, and novels—has been dwindling in recent years.
“From the 1960s until now, more than 600 standalone modern mahua works have been published and translated in this country, but such efforts are declining.
“These translations were carried out by individuals, freelance translators, and associations, including PERSPEKTIF.
“This is because the burden on writers and translators here is heavy, whether translating from Chinese to Malay or vice versa, as it has largely been carried out by bilingual Chinese individuals,” he told Bernama.
According to him, translation as a field is also less attractive to the younger generation due to the relatively low income compared to the effort involved.
In terms of Malay proficiency among young Chinese, Lim said today’s generation is heavily influenced by English, particularly through social media, which has become ingrained in their daily lives.
“To this end, in addition to working with DBP, educational institutions, and translation associations to hold Chinese-Malay translation workshops and symposiums, several local universities — including Universiti Sains Malaysia — now offer courses designed to equip young people with strong bilingual skills and sound translation techniques.
“This will not only produce a new generation that can serve as a bridge between two cultures but also improve Malay proficiency among Chinese students, making it their second language after Chinese,” he said.
THE RISE OF AI
In the digital revolution era, sweeping changes and transformations can be seen in language learning and translation through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Apart from simplifying daily tasks and saving time, AI is also seen as capable of replacing human roles in certain areas, including language learning and translation work.
This has raised concerns within Malaysia’s translation industry, with fears that AI may take over human translators’ roles, leading to fewer job opportunities and unattractive income prospects.
Senior Lecturer at the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr Boh Phaik Ean, said in fact, AI is not new to translation—it began with early machine translation research in the mid-20th century.
“At that time, AI’s capabilities were limited, but its potential had already drawn scholars’ attention.
“Today, with the emergence of large language models and advances in machine learning and deep learning, AI-generated translations have become more accurate in meaning and more fluent linguistically,” she told Bernama.
Boh acknowledged that AI translation quality has improved significantly compared to before. However, she stressed that this does not mean AI can replace human translators entirely.
“Translation is not just about transferring messages from one language to another; it is an interaction between two cultures, peoples, and nations.
“Machine translation cannot guarantee absolute accuracy and completeness. Excessive reliance on AI could lead to serious mistakes with major consequences, potentially causing business losses or sparking political controversies nationally or internationally, especially if the output contains errors, sensitive content, or deviations from the original meaning,” she said.
Boh added that AI should be used wisely, carefully, and ethically, without over-glorifying its capabilities or depending on it entirely.
“Excessive dependence on AI tools could eventually destroy human originality. If misused, this technology risks erasing authenticity, creativity, identity, and the human voice, as all work becomes replaced by AI-generated output,” she said.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS IN TRANSLATION
At the same time, Boh said many people underestimate the value of the national language when works are translated into it, assuming they will not be well-received and thus lacking motivation to enter the industry.
“In reality, Malay has tremendous potential to grow and be elevated on the international stage.
“For example, in the translation industry, demand for Malay-related translations is very high, opening up many job opportunities for Malaysians and boosting income for both individuals and the nation,” she said.
She noted particularly strong demand for translations from Chinese to Malay, which often pays translators well, especially from Chinese companies and agencies.
“This high demand is closely tied to the status of Malay as the official and national language of our country.
“It is clear that Malay is not only a tool of communication but also carries great economic value internationally, particularly in the translation industry,” she said.
She added that translation helps bridge language gaps, reduce misunderstandings, encourage knowledge exchange, and strengthen diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Meanwhile, Chairman of DBP’s Board of Governors, Datuk Dr Mohd Anuar Rethwan, said translating Chinese works into Malay or vice versa not only improves bilingual proficiency among the Chinese community but also fosters cultural understanding between the two groups.
However, he stressed that the human touch in interpreting cultural nuances and appreciating the beauty of language and literature cannot be replicated by AI.
“If we do not understand the target culture of the language being translated, the result may sometimes be comical—or even disastrous.
“Therefore, translators play a crucial role as bridges between two worlds. This task requires precision, cultural sensitivity, and deep linguistic mastery. AI, meanwhile, is merely a ‘tool’ that cannot grasp nuances, culture, metaphors, or proverbs.
“Hence, we cannot rely entirely on AI; we still need translators who truly understand both the source and target languages,” he said.
He added that translators must convey not just the literal meaning but also the emotional essence and cultural spirit embedded in each expression.
“Translation is not just about finding words—it is about finding the soul that connects different worlds, bridging divides, understanding cultures, and fostering harmony,” he said.
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