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Legal translation

Legal translation is the rendering of the original text that contains legal information into another language while preserving the original content and structure, taking into account the terminological and sociocultural peculiarities of the respective countries. While basic translation may allow the use of synonyms to denote one term (for example, "temporary" and "short-term"), in legal translation, each definition has a specific meaning and is used strictly according to the interpretation of the legislation. A specialist working with such texts must be knowledgeable in three sciences simultaneously — linguistics, law, and translation studies. To become a translator of legal texts, it is necessary not only to handle the terminology and master the language but also to be able to convey the content of information considering the differences in meanings of terms in different countries. Our company employs such specialists, capable of providing high-quality services.

What is a legal translation

Legal translation is a linguistic-legal procedure of rendering the content of a document in another language while preserving its content and functions. Such text must take into account the cultural features of the languages of the original and reproduction to be understandable for a reader who uses the terminology of other countries and legal systems.

Most often, the following documents require a legal translation:

  • transcripts of court sessions and investigative actions;
  • written explanations of witnesses;
  • expert opinions;
  • claims, complaints and responses to them, other procedural documents;
  • non-disclosure agreements;
  • disclaimers of liability;
  • receipts;
  • powers of attorney and wills;
  • contracts, tender documents;
  • bank guarantees;
  • scientific papers on legal topics.

Translating the above documents using general terminology will deprive them of their legal value. Our specialists have legal training and delve into the legislation of the target country when working on texts to accurately convey the content of the original.

The value of a legal translation

Currently, many Ukrainians live in other countries, and government business establishes connections with foreign counterparts. To exercise their rights, protect interests, or enter into partnership relations abroad, documents with an accurate legal translation are needed, both from a foreign language to Ukrainian and vice versa. The quality of a specialist’s work on the text determines the consideration of legal disputes, the possibility of developing profitable business relations, obtaining special status, benefits, employment, etc.

The slightest inaccuracy in reproducing material can cause harm or become a reason for a lawsuit. Our specialists perform legal translation that accurately conveys the legal content of the original with an understanding and consideration of the sociocultural peculiarities of the target audience. For quality information transfer, we involve specialists with linguistic and legal knowledge, familiarity with the legislation of many countries. In our work, we use bilingual legal dictionaries, and for words that exist in one language but are absent in another (lacunae), appropriate terminological constructions are used to reflect their meaning.

Features of legal text translation

Unlike fiction and general-themed texts, legal translation has the following distinctive features:

  • prohibition of the use of words in synonymous meanings to denote terms, lexical limitation;
  • authenticity, maximum approximation to the original (if possible and appropriate – literal transmission of information);
  • prohibition of the use of any artistic means (epithets, metaphors, allegories, etc.), emotionally colored vocabulary;
  • deciphering the meaning of gaps, selecting the most appropriate terminological words and constructions;
  • unambiguity, prevention of ambiguous understanding of information by native speakers.

Legal document translation is a complex procedure that requires a person to turn to an experienced specialist practicing in the relevant field. Our company cooperates with immigration lawyers, customs brokers, and specialists in international, banking, and tax law to provide such a service. We guarantee the execution of the most accurate translation, which will have an accessible and unambiguous interpretation of the presented information in the target country.

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