Legal Translation

Legal Translation

 

Legal translation, like any translation work, involves converting a source language into a target language. However, legal translation is different because law is culture-dependent. It uses content and terms from the legal system of the country where the source document originated. As the world globalizes, the need for legal translation increases.Beyond language barriers, differences in legal systems make legal translation highly complex.

Legal translation is necessary to use the official language of the relevant country; it covers a wide range of texts like identity documents, financial papers, official reports, and court rulings.
Each country has its own regulations for legal translators. In many countries, legal translators must hold degrees in legal or business translation. (Examples by country: Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, Italy, UK, USA...)

What Makes Legal Translation Different?

It is one of the most complex forms of document translation.Even a minor error can affect the validity of the document.Misinterpretations, ambiguity, or mistranslations are absolutely unacceptable in legal translation.
Besides cultural factors and language differences, legal translation has a unique terminology.A translator must correctly transfer not just words, but legal concepts as well.
Incorrect words can undermine the entire trustworthiness of the translation.The purpose of the legal translation also matters: is it for public consumption or legally binding purposes?
Legal texts have a specific linguistic structure, and proper tone and form must be maintained.