How to be professional in legal translation?
The term “legal translation” refers to the translation of any text used within the legal system. As documents used for legal purposes, specializes in the translation of legal documents such as depositions, contracts, and patent applications, official reports, financial documents, and identity documentation. A wide variety of other sources of information can also be subject to legal field depending on their contextualized relationship to legal proceedings. But unlike general translation, there are unique concerns that can impact translations in the legal field that someone becoming a legal translator will need to know about. In this blog post, we cover the four most important tips to be professional in legal translation.
Translation experience
Experience is the most important factor that clients will look for when it comes to choosing a legal translator. Many legal translators started with general translation projects before making the switch to translating legal. You should have a sound background in the field of law in which the translator specialized. Thorough understanding of the legal system of the target country, and mastery of the legal terminology used in both legal system to get better exposure to the field.
Legal Language
Legal translation is not only a translation between languages but also a translation of various legislation systems, having different sources of law and legal terminology, as well as different social and cultural aspects. All these elements lead to a lack of equivalent terminology across legal languages.
To become a legal translator, you need to be fluent in at least two languages. It requires a deep understanding of both languages, including grammar, syntax, and word choice.
Culture Knowledge
A legal translator must have in-depth knowledge of some legal system.
Translating legal documents required some cultural Knowledge about the country that the document will be used in. So the translator must be able to understand the legal terminology used in both the source and target languages. As well as be acquainted with the nuances of the law in both countries where these two languages are used.
Knowledge of the law allows the translator to adapt to legal terms in the documents, which have no immediate equivalent in the legal system of the country where the target language is prevalent. In this case, it is the translator’s responsibility to work around the differences posed.
Become certified translator
Translators are not required to obtain a certification to offer translation services. But in some countries, you will need certification to become a translator, legal translator, or certified translator. In the legal field specifically, “certified” means you have taken an oath in the courts. Certified translators have special training and certification requirements that vary depending on where they are located. Every country is slightly different, but most require some form of specialized training and certification process to qualify as a certified translator. Becoming a certified translator may help you get a job in the legal field. We at first translation services have certified translators who translate your projects professionally.
