Legal Translation

Legal translation: what is it, why is it important and some characteristics:

 As with any sort of translation, legal translation consists of transforming documents from one source language into a different target language. But there are some peculiarities about this type of translation. Legal translation stands at the crossroads of three areas of inquiry—legal theory, language theory and translation theory—that are fundamentally indeterminate, largely because of their reliance on natural language (Joseph 1995: 14). 

 The law itself is quite an unstable discipline. It relies on some abstract and changing notions, that are extremely different depending on the country or region where those laws are applied. Legal discourse is in a state of constant flux: its meaning shifts depending on the language in which it is expressed and even depending on the reader (Harvey, M. 2002). 

 Laws are interdisciplinary, as they regulate most areas of human activity. Legal translators must have a profound knowledge of concepts and terminology not just related to law, but also related to the area to which it is being applied.  

What is legal translation? 
Legal translation is the field of translation that transforms legal documents and material from one language to another, respecting the original meaning. This sort of translation consists of a procedure that takes into account legal background. Among the different documents that can be translated related to law, are the following:  

Contracts 
Court and witness transcripts 
Depositions 
Confidentiality agreements 
Wills and trusts 
Complaints 
Policies 
Legal Statements 
Licenses 
Litigation documentation 
Arbitration translation 
Legal disclaimers 
Others 

‘Legalese’ is almost like a language of its own. It requires a legally trained person to understand it. The same thing happens with legal translators. They have to know the laws of the country, because a word-for-word translation may not accurately represent the meaning of the original. It is important that legal translators understand the legal implications of what is being translated. 

The importance of legal translation:

When someone hires a translator or translation agency for a legal translation procedure, it is extremely important to be able to depend on a reliable outcome. If the translation isn’t accurate enough, it can have legal consequences.  An improperly translated document can directly affect people’s rights. 

It is fundamental that law firms can be sure that the result is accurate and true to the original. The translation team must be familiar with the business and legal practices of the country. Otherwise, inaccurate information can generate a big misunderstanding. For this reason, it is always recommended to work with translators that translate in their native language.