Abstract

This study examines how national news interpretation in Malaysian Sign Language (Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia, BIM) contributes to linguistic preservation and cultural visibility for the Deaf community in Malaysia. Since 1995, BIM has been incorporated into Malaysian television news, with expanded coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic through BERNAMA since 2021 and ASTRO since 2022. Employing an exploratory mixed-methods design, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative data from a bilingual questionnaire involving 15 participants to evaluate perceived accessibility, linguistic impact, and cultural significance of BIM-interpreted broadcasts. Findings indicate that viewers value BIM interpretation not only as a medium of accessibility but also as a symbol of linguistic legitimacy and Deaf cultural recognition. However, persistent issues―such as inadequate interpreter window size, signing pace, and synchronisation―limit effective comprehension. Respondents overwhelmingly support standardisation led by Deaf organisations to ensure accuracy and cultural alignment. The study concludes that sustained, high-quality news interpretation can reinforce BIM’s social visibility and strengthen national frameworks for linguistic preservation and inclusion.