oo often,
translation is seen as simply transposing a word into another language. It
is not that simple. As proof, you only need to read translations of usage
instructions or even everyday consumer products.
Example of a washing indication on a clothing label: the
English "Machine washed cold" is translated as "The machine washes the cold
separately. The consequences are more important when it comes to
legal English translation.
Error is prohibited
If translation errors sometimes make you smile, in legal
translation,they can have important
consequences. We need to pay them a lot
of attention.
For example, a serious error is made by translating "execution
of an agreement" into "execution of a
contract." Because in American English, "execution" simply
means "signature," whereas in French, "executing a
contract" means fulfilling the obligations contained in the contract.
Beyond words, it is also a whole context that needs to be
transposed and which can therefore be a source of errors. The equivalences
to be found between the Anglo-Saxon common lawand civil law in force in almost all other jurisdictions in the world make
professional legal translation necessary.
Translating the law is translating legal systems
Legal language is a precise and precise
language,which is specific to each country and
culture. It is therefore imperative to have legal texts translated into
the language of the persons concerned.
Translating is not
only to find the equivalent of a word in another language, it is also necessary
to know how to adapt it. While retaining the meaning of the original term,
it must be made fully comprehensible and legally correct by the person who will
use the text.
Not all countries have the same rules, the same laws, but
they are substantially similar. It is therefore a question of matching a
term with that of the current law in the country of the recipient. Thus,
to give a translation into French to an English contract involves moving from Anglo-Saxon law (common
law) to Roman law (civil law) and must match the principles of the two systems.
Of course, the difficulties of translating legal
documents do not end there. For example, legal
translation into Chinese has its own specificities.
Legal translation has an
earlier history than the translation of other texts, including that of the
Bible. It has always been a tool for harmonization and exchange, provided
it uses the services of professional eCommerce translators.
