There’s no improvisation when it comes to translating legal documents. This is a job that requires professionals who are highly precise and never make mistakes. One error, and the documents they translated may cause severe consequences for those who are using them.
Legal translation must be concise, sharp, on-point, and in accordance with the law. It uses terminology people might not use in everyday speech, so translators must be aware of every detail and know where to use the required wording. Although many professionals have years of experience behind them, they still make mistakes while working. Here are the five most common legal translation mistakes.
Avoiding 5 Typical Mistakes in Legal Document Translation
If you know what these mistakes are, it’s easier to avoid them. Working in translation means you’re aware of some of the problems occurring while working, but you’re surely not aware of all. If you want to upgrade yourself, you should find out what these mistakes are and always try to avoid them. Let’s go through the five most common mistakes in legal translation.
1. Literal Translation of Legal Terms
Literal translation is one of the most common legal translation mistakes. Legal language carries nuances that can’t always be carried over word by word. When a translator ignores this, the legal meaning risks being altered, leading to serious legal repercussions.
- Explanation: Legal terminology is shaped by legal practice, cultural context, and judicial interpretation. A direct translation might look correct on the page, but it can fail to capture the true intent of the source. Legal linguists stress that professional legal translation isn’t simply about replacing words but ensuring that the intended meaning holds in another legal context.
- Example: Consider the English term “consideration” in contract law. Translating it literally into another language may convey “thought” or “reflection,” which has no legal validity in the target legal system. Such translation errors undermine the completeness of the translation.
- How to avoid: Work with a qualified legal translator who is familiar with the necessary legal terminology in both source and target languages. Expert legal translation services use translation memories and peer review to ensure accurate legal translations that preserve the legal meaning.
2. Ignoring Jurisdiction-Specific Legal Systems
One of the easiest legal translation mistakes is to believe that the law is the same everywhere, just written in different languages. But law doesn’t travel that neatly. Each country has its own system, shaped by its history and traditions. If a translator forgets this, the result can be a document that looks polished but collapses the moment it’s read in the wrong courtroom.
- Civil law vs. common law terminology: Think of civil law and common law as two different dialects of law. They cover similar ideas, but the words they use, and the weight those words carry, are not the same. A contract term that feels rock-solid in common law might not even exist in civil law. If a translator misses that, the whole point of the agreement can get lost in the shuffle.
- Example: Take the word “trust.” In a common law system, it’s a bedrock concept – you’ll see it in wills, property deals, and business structures. But in many civil law countries, there’s nothing quite like it. Translate it literally and you don’t just lose nuance, you risk creating nonsense. It’s like trying to describe a chess move to someone who’s only ever played checkers. The pieces just don’t line up.
- Solution: The only real way around this is to work with someone who knows the systems inside out. A professional legal translator won’t just swap words; they’ll bridge ideas. When there’s no direct match, they’ll explain it in a way that still carries weight in the target system. That’s the difference between a translation that just fills a page and one that actually protects your legal interests
3. Overlooking Formatting and Certification Requirements
Beyond language, certified translations must follow specific formatting and certification rules. This is a crucial aspect of certified translations because authorities often reject documents that don’t mirror the structure of the original.
- Strict formatting: Translations often need to mirror the layout, seals, and signatures of the original document. Missing any of these elements can affect the legal validity of the translation.
- Example: A court might reject a contract translation that lacks the certified translator’s official statement, even if the language is flawless. These translation mistakes can halt proceedings.
- Solution: Work with a professional legal translation company that understands services must adhere to strict certification requirements. A legal expert ensures the completeness of the translation, helping you avoid costly delays.
4. Using Unqualified or General Translators
Legal documents often involve sensitive material. Relying on a bilingual friend or a general translator is one of the most common legal translation mistakes.
- Why general bilingual skills aren’t enough: Translating legal documents requires more than fluency. It demands training in legal terminology, awareness of legal nuances, and knowledge of legal practice. Without this, translations can lead to significant errors.
- Risks of relying on AI/automated translation without legal expertise: Machine translation tools are helpful for casual text, but in legal translation, they risk misinterpretation of legal meaning. Automated translations often ignore legal context and can never replace the insight of a professional legal translator.
- Solution: Always use certified translation services that employ qualified legal linguists. These experts understand the translation process and provide high-quality legal content that meets legal interests.
5. Neglecting Proofreading and Quality Assurance
Even with the best translator, a lack of quality checks can result in costly mistakes. Proofreading and quality assurance are essential for accurate legal translations.
- One small typo can void a contract or change meaning: A single misplaced word or incorrect number can alter obligations, potentially leading to legal disputes.
- Example: If a decimal point in a financial contract is mistranslated, the translation errors could alter the sum owed, with severe legal repercussions.
- Solution: Translation services must include a second layer of translation quality assurance. A professional legal translator will review the text for consistency, accuracy, and completeness before delivery.
How to Ensure Accuracy in Legal Translation?
When a client needs a legal translation document, they must work with a company that is a true professional in the field. One thing that must be avoided is hiring freelancers who claim to be excellent, but will make beginner’s mistakes that will cost the client a lot. When clients hire a company that has been translating for years, they will provide translators who are skilled and experienced, avoiding any inconvenience during the process. That’s how you ensure accuracy.
Contact Us for Certified and Accurate Legal Document Translation
Looking for certified legal translation? Look no further if you’re in need of quality work that will be delivered fast and without mistakes. It’s not easy to find a company that will deliver excellent results in a timely manner, so working with us means getting top-notch service that will never disappoint you. Contact us and get an accurate legal document translation service now.
FAQs
What is a major concern in legal translation?
The biggest concern in legal translation is preserving the meaning in the original language. One word that means something else when translated might lose the point and cause a terrible effect later.
How do I know if a legal translation will be accepted abroad?
Only by working with true professionals who know how to handle the job. Every jurisdiction abroad is different, and the translation company must know if the particular document will comply with the local requirements. This is why you must hire an experienced translation company.
What’s the difference between sworn and certified legal translation?
A sworn translation is completed by a translator authorised by a legal authority, while a certified translation includes a signed statement by a qualified legal translator affirming its accuracy. Both types of legal translation meet different legal systems’ requirements, depending on the translation project.
