MYASLI CALLS FOR OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AS PROFESSIONALS

GEORGE TOWN, May 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (MyAsli) is calling on the government to recognise sign language interpreting as a professional career in the country.

Its president, Wan Zuraidah Abu, said that although sign language interpreters play a vital role in ensuring equal communication access for the deaf community, the profession still lacks the official recognition it deserves.

She noted that many in society still misunderstand the role of sign language interpreters, often mistaking them for teachers or spokespersons. In reality, they are communication intermediaries who play an essential role in accurately conveying information to the deaf community.

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“Sign language interpreters are not merely translators. They serve as a bridge between the deaf community and the general public,  facilitators of communication in everyday interactions, conveyors of crucial information in critical situations, and enablers of the deaf community’s right to fair and equal access to information.”

“We cannot deny that this profession continues to lack proper recognition. Sign language interpreters face limited access to quality training, the absence of a comprehensive national accreditation system, and, in many cases, are not compensated fairly in accordance with their skills and responsibilities,” she said.

“We cannot deny that this profession still lacks recognition. Sign language interpreters face limited access to quality training, the absence of a robust national accreditation system, and at times are not compensated in line with their expertise and responsibilities,” she said at the National Sign Language Interpreters Seminar and ASEAN 2025 Invitation, here today.

The event was officiated by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.

Wan Zuraidah shared that currently, there are only about 60 active sign language interpreters in the country, including full-time interpreters, part-time assisting teachers, and freelance interpreters.

This is far from sufficient to serve the needs of more than 44,000 people in Malaysia’s deaf community, she added.

She said being a sign language interpreter goes beyond translating words into hand gestures as it involves understanding the message, transferring meaning, and re-expressing it visually in a clear and accurate manner for the deaf to comprehend.

Therefore, MyAsli is advocating for the profession to be officially recognised, with clear job standards, salary structures, and career opportunities to attract more people to pursue it seriously, she said.

Wan Zuraidah also expressed hope for the establishment of an accreditation and regulatory body to uphold professionalism in the field, develop training modules and continuous professional development (CPD) programmes, and promote active involvement of interpreters in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, law, and media.

The three-day seminar, which runs until May 16, is attended by 80 sign language interpreters from across Malaysia and ASEAN countries, including Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, and Vietnam.

The seminar aims to empower sign language interpreters in delivering information that is equitable, accurate, and inclusive across various sectors such as education, law, healthcare, and media.

Representatives from New Zealand and the United Kingdom have also been invited to share their research and experiences on the development of community interpreters.

-- BERNAMA