KUCHING: Translation serves as a mechanism to ensure Sarawak’s heritage languages continue to thrive and are not marginalised in the fast pace of modernisation.
“It is also through precise and culturally sensitive translation that Sarawak can proudly share its unique heritage with the world,” said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In this context he pointed out that translation is more than a technical exercise of transferring words from one language to another.
He described it as a bridge that sustains Sarawak’s multilingual identity and strengthens the state’s role in an increasingly interconnected world.
In a land of over 30 ethnic groups, each with its own language and dialect, translation is not only vital for effective communication but also for safeguarding Sarawak’s cultural and linguistic heritage,he stressed.
He said this in his speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and. Community Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, at the opening of the 20th International Translation Conference on Tuesday (Aug 19).
Abang Johari described translation as a strategic pillar in the knowledge-based economy, particularly within the digital economy and creative industries, where linguistic diversity is increasingly tied to innovation and cultural expression.
Beyond academia, he pointed to real-world applications, noting that technical documents, educational materials, digital content, and legal texts all demand high-quality translation.
“In this sense, translation is not just a tool of communication, but an enabler of policy, education, commerce and diplomacy,” he added.
He emphasised that translation is a form of cross-cultural diplomacy, connecting communities, expanding access to knowledge, and ensuring that Sarawak’s diverse voices can be heard on the global stage.
The Premier also commended researchers at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) for documenting Sarawak’s ethnic languages, ensuring they are preserved as living legacies and contributing to global knowledge.
“I am confident that language researchers at UNIMAS have been working closely with the Sarawak government in research and documentation of our ethnic languages.
“This step, among others, aims to build the advancement of our nation, people and faith not only in Malaysia but also across the world in this era of globalisation,” he said.
