The process of translating a legal document has such a bad reputation for being exhausting, hard, and overall unpleasant. Now, we’re not going to stand here and tell you that it’s fun, because it isn’t. However, it’s not that hard; at least not if you keep the following points in mind.
● The Purpose of Your Document
One of the things people overlook when going about the document preparation process is the actual purpose of each document. We often bring the required documents without asking ourselves, why do we need this document, which on the contrary to common belief, is not at all convenient. Questioning the purpose of a document can help you while translating it, just like understanding a novel. If you translate a document without knowing what it’s for, chances are that you won’t be able to communicate certain words, meanings, or phrases. Don’t forget that legal terminology is totally different from the regular day-to-day terminology.
● Accuracy is Not an Option
Being accurate is a must when it comes to translating legal documents. Not only do you need for the words to make sense when read by the concerned parties. You also need for the writing style to match the one for the language you’re translating your documents into. It’s why expert companies suggest you invest in professional translations done by native speakers rather than software. After all, they are the people most familiar with their language, as well as the acceptable format of some of the most common legal documents. The reason accuracy is highly valued is because with legal matters, any incomplete or inadequate document can result in the stalling of all your processes. So for example, if you’re applying for a visa, your papers won’t be processed until you submit all papers which in turn, can massively affect your trip.
● Second Opinions Matter
As we’ve mentioned above, legal terminology is different from regular terminology, so when translating your document, consulting a legal expert is highly favorable. Now by a legal expert, we mean someone who operates within the country you’re submitting the documents to. Legal procedures and standards differ from one country to another, so having someone who understands the language in addition to the legal realm, is an added bonus. Granted, you don’t have to hire a lawyer every time you need to translate a document, but depending on the document’s purpose, importance, and the concerned parties, you should decide whether or not to go solo, hire professional help, or seek legal counsel.
In a Nutshell
Translating a legal document is not a hard job. It just needs to be done carefully and precisely. Since we all know how bureaucratic legal processes get, it is better to put in as much effort to translate your documents properly. If you don’t have the time or the skill, have a trained professional do it for you. Granted, you’ll be spending some time, or money, but you won’t be wasting them. Believe us, the last thing you’d want to do is to put your life on hold just because one stupid document wasn’t translated according to protocol.
