Few things are more important than the written word regarding legal documents and their translation.
Truth be told, legal translations are challenging processes because of the importance of words in legal documents. Due to this, many companies often develop their internal software for translating documents or use Google Translate.
However, these translations are often inaccurate or don’t portray the right meaning in the translated document, potentially leading to disastrous consequences.
This is why nothing can beat professional legal translators. They are thoroughly trained and vetted in their field. However, having legal translators in your team has more benefits than you think.
Keep reading this article to know 5 reasons why legal translators should be in your translation team, instead of a software solution.
Table of Contents
Legal Translations Often Involve Complex Domain Know-How
The content of legal documents is so domain-specific that it is best understood by human translators with the necessary expertise. They understand the cultural context in which the words operate and can accurately translate the document’s meaning.
On the other hand, translation software relies on general-purpose translation engines that may not be familiar with the specific terminology of legal documents. This can lead to inaccurate translations that could have serious consequences.
There Are Specific Formats Involved
Legal translations must conform to a very specific format, which is often different from the format of regular translations. Human translators are familiar with these formatting requirements and know how to translate legal texts into the target language correctly.
On the other hand, software translation programs may not be aware of all the specific formatting requirements, which could lead to botched translations.
Legal Translations Can’t Compromise on Accuracy
To ensure the accuracy of legal translations, they must be checked by a qualified human translator. This practice guarantees that the translation has been done correctly and adheres to all the specific formatting requirements. Software translation cannot provide the same level of accuracy or assurance.
Localization is Crucial for Legal Translations
Localization plays an essential role in creating iron-clad legal translations. Localizing a document means adapting it to conform to a specific region’s cultural and legal needs. The translation must be localized to be accurate and culturally appropriate; software translation programs may not be able to do this correctly or efficiently.
It is also essential for localization to be carried out by specialists in the field, who know all the cultural and linguistic nuances in which these documents operate. With their help, even poorly written legal documents can become elegant and lively in another language.
Mistakes in Legal Translation Can Have Severe Consequences
Depending on the type of legal document being translated, inaccuracies can bring severe consequences to an individual or business. A strong example of this is when mistakes are made during the translation of contracts.
If a business signs a contract that has been mistranslated because of machine translation, it may be legally committed to terms and agreements that it wasn’t aware of.
This is just one scenario where professional legal translation can save you from serious trouble. To ensure that your translations are done correctly, always use a human translator specializing in the legal field.
Final Word
Human translators are better suited for legal translations because they possess the specific domain knowledge and formatting skills required for these translations.
They also have the necessary degree of accuracy and are subject-matter experts. Legal translation errors can have serious consequences, so it is important to use a translator to guarantee accuracy.
Software translations cannot provide the above-stated benefits; this is why it is imperative to have human translators on board for legal translations.
