The world is becoming smaller. As a result, there are increasingly more and more occasions where you may find that you need to have a legal document translated into another language in the spirit of international trade and negotiations.
If you find that you suddenly need to have a document translated into another language as a matter or urgency, firstly, don't panic! Secondly, even if you speak the language in which you require the document to be translated into, don't think you can cut corners and save money by attempting to translate the document yourself, using nothing more than google and a technical linguistic dictionary! Being bilingual is no guarantee of producing an accurate and professional translation. Never underestimate the fact that translating a legal document is one of the most difficult skills to develop, since it requires not only a complete fluency in another language but also a deep understanding of the national law system of that country, an understanding of the legal clauses that that country uses, together with an understanding of local culture. This is why you often find that most professional translators limit their work to one or two fields.
Nowadays, there are many professional legal Translation Services for you to choose from. Most offer a genuine confidential service at a competitive price. It should effectively boil down to who can offer you the best deal for the service you require so don't be afraid to shop around. However, here are some points to note:
Even if you require your translation back as soon as possible, don't be afraid to tell the agency that you do not expect to see a "rushed job". You do not want several different translators working on your document and thus leaving you with a hodgepodge translation. Consistency and fluency are the keys to a successful translation. For example, what one translator may call a contract, another may call an agreement.
Never assume your document will be treated as confidential and so don't be afraid to labour the point. If your document is highly confidential, say so. Many legal documents contain sensitive information; bank details; home addresses; company information. Do not be afraid to request that your chosen translation agency limits the number of translators who have access to your document/s.
The best legal translators you can use are those professional translators recommended by your own legal advisers. A good translation agency will normally only use experienced translators and interpreters who are mother-tongue speakers of the target language of translation. Further, they normally hand-pick translators for each job so that their experience matches your needs.
Most employed translators and interpreters are members of professional associations such as the Institute of Translations and Interpreting and the American Translators Association.
In brief, armed with the legal document to be translated and a selection of carefully chosen requirements, your chosen translation agency should provide you with a perfectly translated legal document, in your specified language of choice which meets all your requirements.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.