Abstract

This study revisits Tseng’s (1992) model of translation professionalization to examine its relevance in the context of globalization, artificial intelligence, and transnational governance. While Tseng’s framework has provided a foundational sociological account of how translation seeks professional legitimacy, its original linear structure is increasingly inadequate for explaining the complexity of contemporary translation ecosystems. Drawing on sociological theories of professions and recent developments in AI-mediated translation practice, this article reconceptualizes translation professionalization as a non-linear, cyclical, and adaptive process. Focusing on Tseng’s core dimensions―competence, education and training, professional associations, and ethical institutionalization―the study proposes a hybrid model in which these components operate concurrently and are continuously mediated by technological innovation, ethical sustainability, and global governance. Comparative discussions of Malaysia and Korea further illustrate how professionalization trajectories are shaped by local policy environments, market conditions, and levels of digital adoption. By integrating sociological insight with technological and ethical perspectives, this article advances a dynamic understanding of translation professionalization and highlights its implications for translator education, professional regulation, and policy development in the twenty-first century.