Cabinet Secretary Deputy: Gov’t Translators Should Translate More Legal Products

Deputy for Cabinet Work Support Thanon Aria Dewangga at the opening of technical training for translation of legal texts for Government law class IV of 2020, at Building III of Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, Monday (10/8).

Government translators play a strategic role in the translation of the Government’s legal products, Deputy to Cabinet Secretary for Cabinet Work Support Thanon Aria Dewangga has said.

According to him, almost all ministries and institutions issue legal products, including laws, government regulations, ministerial regulations, and many others.

“All those legal products are important as a means in the running of the Government. Through various legal products, the Government regulates an effective and efficient government administration in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations,” Thanon said in his remarks at the opening of technical training for translation of legal texts for Government law class IV of 2020 at Building III of Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, Monday (10/8).

Thanon went on to say that translation of legal products from Indonesian into English or other foreign languages is needed in several very strategic sectors. He also said that the translation would certainly benefit state civil apparatus (ASN), the Government, and the communities.

On that occasion, he also quoted the term “interdependence” in international relations which means that a country cannot live for its own country. “A country, of course, must be associated with other countries. Therefore, I believe that relations between countries and other countries must be communicated in a universal language,” Thanon said.

Thanon went on to say that the challenges that may be faced by government translators are as follows:

First, legal translators are expected to master the source language and the target language and understand several aspects equally well, including legal system in the country and other countries.

“We should be familiar with the legal systems of various countries since legal documents are very much influenced by the structure of the legal system and the country’s culture,” he said.

Second, legal translators must understand the philosophy, the purpose(s), and the essence of legal products, so they would not just translate word by word.

“The exact equivalent words of various terms must not be understood in word-for-word translation, considering that legal texts have its own characteristics and usually refer to technical terms in the legislation,” he added.

Thanon also cited an example of the 2021 Draft State Budget Bill that might use technical terms in the financial sector that should be understood to be translated.

On that occasion, Thanon also mentioned several sectors that need legal translation, including:

First, healthcare reform. “I think this is important because in the next two years our friendly countries will want to know about the development we are implementing related to healthcare reform,” Thanon said.

Second, legal products in the food sector. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), all countries must prepare themselves to face food crisis. It is hoped, he added, that the translators will be able to translate legal products related to food security reform.

“This is also very important since it is related to the relation between one country and another. I believe that food sector is a major issue in the relation between one country and another,” he stated.

Third, bureaucratic reform. The state civil apparatus (ASN) must be able to reform and the reform itself must be conducted immediately.

“This is what we will be waiting for, especially by our friendly countries. If the state civil apparatus can reform quickly, it will certainly boost the country’s economy,” Thanon explained.

At the end of his remarks, Thanon expressed hope that the training would be carried out smoothly, safely, and successfully.

“By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially open the technical training for translation of legal texts for Government law class IV of 2020,” he said. (TGH/EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas