Digital communications have changed a lot over the last decade. While the way we make deals and do business has grown exponentially, the need for global business relationships to maintain a cohesive dialogue is a difficult but vital necessity.
Company growth comes with added responsibilities. Keeping on top of business deals and transactions in multiple time zones and languages requires the services and expertise of a legal translation company.
But what exactly are legal language services, and how do you know when to use one?
What Is Legal Translation?
When people think of translation, they assume it entails taking one language and simply relaying it into another. However, legal translation is a much more complicated beast than this.
Because of the broad spectrum of work involved in global litigation, legal translation lends itself to patents, will and testaments, financial documentation, and legal rulings to name a few.
A legal translator needs to have a rich and comprehensive understanding of multiple laws in several languages in order to accurately convert a source language into a pitch-perfect translation.
Legal Translation Rules Differ In Each Country
Every country is different and has its own rules to abide by when it comes to licensing legal translators. Some states will certify all of their legal translators, while others will have them swear an oath before accreditation.
In fact, the majority of law translators will need a legal translation degree and a business degree.
Legal translators may even become accredited or certified, in order to let companies know that they’re qualified to translate professional and potentially sensitive materials. Some translators will also take proficiency tests in other languages to bolster their skills.
Legal Translators Are Reference Buffs
The margin for error in legal translation is nonexistent, so legal translators make sure to implement and utilize a wide range of reference materials.
A target country’s legal codes for various legal procedures gives a better understanding of the best words and phrases to use in a legal translation. This helps to translate legal amendments and documents in the most precise way possible in line with each country’s legal process.
Legal Translation Is Unique
Due to the number of different meanings in the word choices of a legal document, legal translators can’t simply trade one word for another one like it and hope for the best.
Work must be translated exactly as intended, and leave no room for ambiguity, lest it leads to large financial complications.
Legal documents translated incorrectly aren’t legally binding, so the pressure to fully translate a legal document while taking regional or national differences into account is high.
Aided by the growth of online business and the need to maintain healthy global company relationships, the translation industry has expanded into a billion-dollar service.
Perhaps with all you know about the legal translation industry now, you will have a better understanding of why it is so vital to how we conduct modern business.