Law for the Professionalization of Filipino Translators Promoted by the Kasálin Network

Two versions of proposed bills for the professionalization of translators in the country were presented at the “Layag: Forum sa Pagsasalin” on May 18, 2024, Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the University of Asia and the Pacific, Pasig City, organized by the Kasálin Network.

Mr. John Enrico Torralba, head of the Translation Division of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF-SS), shared the first version focusing on the recognition of translators’ rights, ensuring the quality of translators, and the registry of Filipino translators. This was followed by the second version proposed by Dr. David Michael San Juan, head of the National Committee on Language and Translation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA-NCLT).

According to San Juan, the law will guide the effective collaboration of translation stakeholders, encourage the unification of practitioners, and establish national standards for the qualification of translators for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Atty. Nicolas Pichay, a translator and director of the Legislative Research Service of the Senate, gave his reactions to the versions presented by Torralba and San Juan. He focused on the considerations that translators must keep in mind to effectively promote the professionalization law.

The forum also launched the Kasálin Network, a consortium for the promotion of the professionalization of Filipino translators, consisting of representatives from 18 linguistic and translation institutions: KWF, UST Center for Translation and Translation Studies, UA&P Department of Filipino, UP Diliman Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (SWF-UPD), PNU Language Study Center, DLSU Salita (Center for Translation, Intellectualization, and Advocacy), PUP Center for Translation, Ateneo de Manila – Senior High School, Biliran Province State University-SWK, Cebu Normal University Center for Language and Culture (CNU-SWK), Palompon Institute of Technology, Leyte, Filipinas Institute of Translation (FIT), Magbikol Kita, NCCA-NCLT, Council on Filipino (SangFil), Professional Association of Translation Advocates (PATAS), Translators Association of the Philippines (TAP), and Bangsamoro Transition Authority Translation and Interpretation Division (BTA-TID).

The forum, attended by approximately 200 translators and translation advocates from across the Philippines, was conducted in a hybrid format.

The event can be re-watched on the Facebook pages of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino and the Kasálin Network.

The Layag Forum is part of a series of discussions for the professionalization of Filipino translators that will take place in the coming months.

For institutions and individuals interested in becoming part of the Kasálin Network, please email networkkasalin@gmail.com.