What is legal translation and why is it important?

[:en]Law is a field that swiftly transgresses national boundaries. The legal domain is an epitome of interconnectivity and globalization in the most acute sense. We know that globalization manifests localization, which in turn necessitates translation services of different kinds. With countries vehemently dependent on each other for trade, commerce, and tourism, the intermingling of diverse judicial structures has dramatically risen.

Such judicial to-and-fro galvanizes legal translation services. Legal translation involves transposing a legal document from the source language to the target language (for example, from English to Bengali), keeping in mind the judicial nuances of both regions. It is a highly specialized and arduous activity that only a Subject Matter Expert must undertake.

Legal translation is a challenging niche within the translation field because each country has its unique legal system and legal terminology. As legal systems are characteristic of a society’s socio-cultural and linguistic thread, translating a legalese mandates adaptability and flexibility.

The pressing importance of legal translation in the 21st century

Communication is the thread that binds the entire world together. Unfortunately, the erstwhile unidirectional approach towards communication has faltered. The hour’s need is diversity and multilingualism. A globalized locale propels the drive towards inclusivity wherein a decentralized modus operandi alternates the top-down stratagem. We do not need a global language, but we require every local language to come to the forefront.

Therefore, the significance of language translation services has become paramount in today’s day and age. They are, undoubtedly, the vehicle to bring the entire world closer. Let us try and grasp the importance of one such crucial translation service.

If you want to know about the significance that legal translation services hold, we have cataloged a list that might be helpful to you.

1. In-built translation apps can be inaccurate and too straightforward to capture a particular legal document’s contexts. The expertise offered by legal translators is spot-on and error-free. They recruit legal pundits to translate a document encapsulating all the subtleties and nuances meticulously.
2. A professionally legal document has a lot more credibility than those translated by an amateur. A document translated by an expert could either make or break your case. At times, the jury may even make professional legal translation mandatory.
3. A legal malpractice lawsuit can be extremely pricey in terms of money, time, and resources. In addition, you are likely to be held accountable for even the slightest mistake. As such, if you opt for professional translation of legal texts, the issue is completely erased.
4. The judiciary is brimming with complex terminology and vocabulary. Machines are not able to understand such complexities. Furthermore, relativity is the key to any successful legal translation. A word-to-word alteration of language is not enough for legal texts. Thus, legal translation services become imperative.

Also Read: Sculpting a More Inclusive World – From Website Localization to Legal Translation

Legal documents and translation

Numerous documents like patents, legal proceedings, litigations, etc., need a translation. Let us analyze five law documents that frequently require transposing.

People moving from one country to another are usually unfamiliar with international laws. As such, it becomes vital to translate legal documents for international travelers within the embassy. Moreover, business contracts are also frequently translated documents.

People who want to own something in a foreign country need to translate their legal documents. They might be unfamiliar with the market laws of the foreign country, thereby necessitating translation of the rules. Intellectual property documents are one of the most commonly translated legalese.

Lastly, legal translators are highly sought-after to convert corporate documentation from one language to another. If you are looking for high-quality legal translation services to convert a document, opt for a solemn and credible company.

While translating personal or business agreements, it is imperative to understand both parties’ legal and linguistic stipulations. It is essential not to rush into any contract and understand the legal translator and analyze their competency. Building a professional camaraderie is vital as the translation time is going to be long and tedious.

Also Read: Why Accuracy Is Important In Legal Translation?

Simple tricks to opt for the best legal translation services

• While on the hunt for top-notch legal translation, certification is the first thing you must look for in a legal translator. Many countries have strict regulations regarding legal translation. A certified legal translator means that they are well articulated and have professional credentials in the field.
• In addition to certification, training and experience are invaluable when it comes to legal translators. Moreover, it is noteworthy to mention that a certified legal translator most probably has years of experience in their kitty.
• Lastly, it would be best if you are looking for someone who can write legal documentation and translate legal terms verbally. A well-translated legal document is precise, well-defined, and structured.

Also Read: 10 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Legal Translation

Challenges and difficulties associated with legal translation

Legal translators have to be highly cautious of the country’s civil, criminal and commercial laws while working on legalese. One aspect that makes legal translation very unique is confidentiality. Often, strict regulations bind the translator to maintain secrecy around the document that they are translating.

Law is a susceptible domain wherein terms have particularized meanings. Legal terminologies between the source jurisdiction and target jurisdiction often vary widely. Also, legal systems are a reflection of the country’s socio-cultural setup. Thus, the legal translator must understand the cultural differences between the legal structures of two diverse societies and be mindful while handling the nuances.

Also Read: Why and How to Choose Professionals for Official & Legal Translation Services

A legal translator has to have intense knowledge of the law and languages of various nations. Law and linguistics are a rare combination and difficult to find. Legal styles vary from judiciary to judiciary. Therefore, the translator must fit into the narrative of both the source language and target language.

Lastly, linguistic gaps are a common phenomenon in legal translation. For example, habeas corpus is a term that exists only in the UK and the USA, and in other countries like India, its meaning is entirely altered.

Translating a legal translation is complicated, and the degrees of difficulty vary from context to context. For example, it may be easy to translate American legalese into UK legalese because both nations have secular laws. But, countries are governed by religious laws, which make the translation process more challenging. The high degree of accuracy that legal translation demands is intimidating. The process is so meticulous that machines cannot cope with the specificities of the projects involved. A minor mistranslation can change the entire meaning of the document and bring embarrassment and burden to the people involved. Thus, hiring professional legal translation services is a suitable option.

Also Read: How To Have A Fantastic Legal Translation With Minimal Spending

In Conclusion

While on the hunt for legal translation, make sure to opt for an agency specializing in the realm and has reputed and experienced legal translators. Genuine positive reviews, transparent policies, accommodative practices, and a communicative staff are some of the things you should be looking for in a legal translation agency. It would help if you also considered price comparison and did some background research before finalizing any company. The risqué of translating a legal document makes it imperative to be cautious. You should give issues of confidentiality and trust utmost priority during the contract.

If you are on the trail for premier legal translation services, Devnagri is the one-stop destination to brush away all your woes. It is an agency that provides phenomenal translation service and takes into account your needs and requirements.[:]