Due to the increasing interaction between people of different cultures and languages, the need for translation services is steadily growing. Although basic translation projects might be possible with in-house employees, some projects should only be translated by professionals. Translation of legal documents is one of those situations. Here are five reasons to have your legal documents professionally translated.
1. Professional Translators are Language Experts
Professional translators are experts in their target language. They speak, read, and understand the target language, including any slang and culturally significant words and phrases. They are typically native speakers and immersed in the culture of the audience for which they will be translating. Professional translators apply logic and reasoning to decide upon the best words and phrases necessary in order to properly impart the same information from one language to another.
2. Professional Translators are Trained in Legal Terms and Procedures
Being a professional translator alone isnt enough when it comes to legal document translation. The legal system is different in every country, designed to meet their needs with procedures and terms specialized to that culture. Legal translators are highly specialized. Not only are they trained professional translators, but they must also be trained and knowledgeable in the legal systems as well as the legal terms used by both their source and target languages.
3. Professional Translators Ensure Accurate Meaning
Accurate meaning is paramount in legal document translation because of the potential repercussions of mistranslated text. Most legal documents describe specific rights and duties of the various parties and it is crucial that the translator understand what those rights and duties are in addition to the legal procedures and terms with which they are working. Only then will they be able to properly translate the document to carry the same meaning in both languages.
Most lawyers and other legal professionals are not familiar with translation theory and therefore often request a word for word translation, believing that the meaning will be the same in both languages. Unfortunately, in most cases a word for word translation produces an incoherent and inaccurate document. What they truly need is an accurate translation of the meaning contained within the documents.
4. Certified Translations
Professional legal document translators can produce certified translations. If the document is not a certified translation it might not be not be accepted into the court record and become useless to the person who requested it. This can have serious consequences including delaying legal proceedings, imposition of fines or legal liabilities, or even a negative outcome of the legal case in which the document was to be used.
Your specialist legal translation provider will also know that multiple forms of certification can exist and will wish to confirm exactly what is required for your situation.
5. Professional Translators Have Higher Standards
Professional translators adopt higher standards when it comes to completing translation projects on time. They are more likely to meet deadlines consistently and produce a higher quality translation. In addition, most professional translation companies have quality control practices in place that require all projects to be reviewed by an independent translator, separate from the one who performed the original work. This helps to ensure accuracy as well as quality.
1. Professional Translators are Language Experts
Professional translators are experts in their target language. They speak, read, and understand the target language, including any slang and culturally significant words and phrases. They are typically native speakers and immersed in the culture of the audience for which they will be translating. Professional translators apply logic and reasoning to decide upon the best words and phrases necessary in order to properly impart the same information from one language to another.
2. Professional Translators are Trained in Legal Terms and Procedures
Being a professional translator alone isnt enough when it comes to legal document translation. The legal system is different in every country, designed to meet their needs with procedures and terms specialized to that culture. Legal translators are highly specialized. Not only are they trained professional translators, but they must also be trained and knowledgeable in the legal systems as well as the legal terms used by both their source and target languages.
3. Professional Translators Ensure Accurate Meaning
Accurate meaning is paramount in legal document translation because of the potential repercussions of mistranslated text. Most legal documents describe specific rights and duties of the various parties and it is crucial that the translator understand what those rights and duties are in addition to the legal procedures and terms with which they are working. Only then will they be able to properly translate the document to carry the same meaning in both languages.
Most lawyers and other legal professionals are not familiar with translation theory and therefore often request a word for word translation, believing that the meaning will be the same in both languages. Unfortunately, in most cases a word for word translation produces an incoherent and inaccurate document. What they truly need is an accurate translation of the meaning contained within the documents.
4. Certified Translations
Professional legal document translators can produce certified translations. If the document is not a certified translation it might not be not be accepted into the court record and become useless to the person who requested it. This can have serious consequences including delaying legal proceedings, imposition of fines or legal liabilities, or even a negative outcome of the legal case in which the document was to be used.
Your specialist legal translation provider will also know that multiple forms of certification can exist and will wish to confirm exactly what is required for your situation.
5. Professional Translators Have Higher Standards
Professional translators adopt higher standards when it comes to completing translation projects on time. They are more likely to meet deadlines consistently and produce a higher quality translation. In addition, most professional translation companies have quality control practices in place that require all projects to be reviewed by an independent translator, separate from the one who performed the original work. This helps to ensure accuracy as well as quality.
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