German Legal Translation
One of the most difficult foreign language documents that have to undergo legal translations is that of German. In essence, German-English translations are among the hardest to pair, as they have different grammar structures, vocabulary laws and sentence patterns. Things become way more challenging when it comes to legal translations, as German legal documents have to be properly modified once they are translated to English.
Considerations for German Legal Translation
Unlike simple translation work, German legal translation tends to be more specific and intricate, due to its legal concepts and frameworks that have to be properly transposed to the English language. Simple translations only make direct transliterations of the text, and in most times they ruin the essence of the document. Poor translations are often not accepted in English (British) and American legal structures, as they lack the formality and necessary style for legal proceedings.
There are also a number of countries that use German as a language, and each of them carries its own legal system that has to be properly understood by the translator. Among the countries that speak German (aside from Germany) include:
- Switzerland. German is hailed as a co-official language of Switzerland, due to its German cantons. Swiss legal documents are different than that of German papers, and they have different requirements for English translations.
- Austria. Austria lies in the border of Germany and Hungary, and it still uses German as its official language. Legal documents in Austria tend to be more formal in style, and they contain unnecessary honorific statements that have to be eliminated when translated to English.
Requirements for German Legal Translation
When searching for German legal translation services, it is best to:
- Be specific of the country in which the documents would have to be translated. One of the problems clients face when searching for German translation services is that they do not specify the country in which the papers will be submitted to. Most translators will rewrite drafts in accordance to standard German legal structures which may not be applicable to Austrian or Swiss legal procedures.
- Discuss the type of legal document for translation. There are different types of legal papers and documents that have to be translated from German to English and vice versa. To shorten the timeframe of writing drafts, it is important to be specific of the type of legal document to be processed, so that the right translators will be assigned with the job.
Credentials for German Legal Translators
Among the requisites for German legal translators are:
- Knowledge of the legal structures of the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Translators who are experts in the legal systems of these countries are able to submit translations faster, as they already know how to construct translated drafts from one language to another.
- Fluency in English and German legal jargon. Fluency in both languages is not only important, but as well as the use of the right terms and expressions for legal purposes. This is because there are documents in which such terms would have to be applied otherwise they will not be accepted by the receiving party’s standards.
