The complexities of legal translations are varied and depend upon factors such as, the source and target language differences, legal terminology parallels, law similarity, and cultural variances.
So, when choosing a translation provider for your legal translations you need to know what to look for in a good translator, and know how to select the best for your task.
The following tips will help you make an informed choice:
1. Select a translator with specific target language legal knowledge
2. Expert awareness of legal systems in both the source and target country should be expected
3. Have excellent research capabilities in the instance that equivalent legal terms, laws, or concepts is not obvious
4. Familiarity with terminology used in your specific documents
5. Ability to keep within original guidelines for translations in which an exact translation match is not possible, and observing the original message
6. A superb attention to detail is vital for translation of legal documents. Ensure your team know that every aspect of the translation is essential
Once you’ve selected a provider, make sure your translation team are fully aware of the intended purpose of your translation so they can ensure that grammar, connotation, terminology, tone of voice, and so on, are accurately portrayed.
There are many differing legal translations which are used around the globe in numerous law systems. By making your translation provider aware of the intended purpose they can tailor the translation to suit these requirements.
Knowing what your documents will demand, and the type of legal translations you will need, will help your translation team do their best work.
Legal Translation – types and uses
The more information you can give your translation team, the better your translated documents will be. Knowing what you require in advance will ensure you don’t waste time, effort and money on the wrong items.
Listed below are a few of the most practical applications for translated legal documents – make sure your translation team are aware of the intended use, and where possible, that they can offer experts in the relative field.
1. Trade contracts – these may vary from trade licences, to Articles of Incorporation Shareholder Books. Foreign courts may offer decisions in order to sell and trade in that country, or commercial registers may need translating when opening branches in overseas territories.
2. Personal documents – might include educational degrees or certificates, divorce or marriage papers, birth certificates, and so on.
3. Police reports – are often translated where there is a need for different languages to be understood by defendants, correspondents, or legal teams
4. Court proceedings – penal sentences, and investigative documents are translated when there is a request for international judiciary assistance. Translators must be aware of the differences between civil and criminal procedure rules, as they can vary in many countries
5. International treaties – will require numerous translations of source texts. They must retain the original message, and have the same legal effect in any language. Translators must provide a document that is accurate, and obvious enough to guarantee the same legal result whatever language or country it is used within.
