There are fewer more in-demand specialised translation services than legal translation. Considering the stakes involved and the threat of potential law suits should any notable errors crop up, this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, yet these are not the only factors that bring about such as high demand for the service.
Globalisation is seeing more and more companies branch out across the globe, leaving contracts, insurance policies, tax returns, warranties and numerous other legal documents all in need of translation. As well as obviously taking the linguistic side of things into account, there is also the matter of getting every document in line with differing laws and regulations that exist in every country.
Make no bones about it, no one is capable of completing a proper legal translation who doesn’t possess a wealth of legal knowledge – simply being fluent in the source language is something that’s very much taken for granted in the translation industry. The amount of terminology involved means it’s like almost having to be fluent in a third language. Take the French legal term ‘force majeur’, for example.The word-for-word translation that those of us without an education in law would opt for would be ‘a superior force’, but the true meaning of the phrase is in fact ‘an act of God.’
Elements to consider
A side from the obvious linguistic and legal measures, there are also more practical elements that have to be considered. Not having a contract translated on time could see a deal fall through, such is the nature of the fast-paced sector in which timing is crucial. For these reasons, most companies and agencies offer a rushed or next-day service, allowing the flow of proceedings in the legal sphere to run that bit more smoothly.
Why should I hire planned move for agencies for translation?
I read recently that there is a huge problem with legal translation in China, due to the fact that the most talented legal graduates opt for careers more directly involved in law where the rewards are more lucrative. From my experiences in the UK, I can honestly say I’ve seen no signs of legal translation services over here being affected by a similar problem. Legal translators are perhaps the most professional and dedicated linguists I’ve come across, so the future of the profession in this part of the world is seemingly in safe hands.