A legal translator works with written legal documents; for example, contracts, briefs, patents, medical documents, and other court documents. ... To do this well, translators typically take more time than legal interpreters, though the time constraints vary by project and document, of course.
Home assignments:
- Watch the video.
- Learn vocabulary.
- Read the text and put questions to each paragraph.
- Explain the features of Legal translation.
- Get ready for the discussion of Legal translator.
- Do the test.
1.Legal translation requires highly specialized subject matter experts. This is because legal communication, whether spoken or written, involves a lot of technical language and jargon.
2.Without a deep understanding of the law, legal texts can look like alphabet soup. So, not just any translator will do for legal translations. Legal translators must be trained in legal contexts and common conflicting meanings in translator law as well as in relevant cultural differences.
3.Serious consequences can result from mistranslations in legal, financial, and political contexts. For example, some have gone so far as to suggest that the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan because of a translation error. In July 1945, the Allied Powers sent a declaration of surrender terms to Japan and awaited reply. The terms stated that any negative response would result in “prompt and utter destruction.”
4.Japanese media questioned Premier Kantaro Suzuki before he had made a formal decision about how to reply. When Suzuki spoke to reporters, he used the word “mokusatsu,” to say he was withholding comment. However, translators told U.S. officials he meant that the terms were “not worthy of comment”—a response tantamont to ignoring the terms. Within 10 days, Truman ordered the atomic bomb to be dropped on Hiroshima.
5.As you might infer from this example, it helps to have an expert with experience in a particular area of the law, such as service agreements and contracts, regulatory and compliance documents, patents, subpoenas, briefs, depositions, etc. to translate particular types of legal documents.
6.For legal linguists specializing in legal interpretation, this technical need is even more pronounced. The ability to understand and translate legal-speak in the moment is one of the most challenging tasks a language professional could face.
How do I become an EU translator?
7.You must have perfect command of one EU language and a thorough command of at least 2 others, and a degree in any discipline. The selection procedure for translators will focus on your language knowledge and skills in translating, as well as the core competencies required of all EU officials.
8.In the US, the average salary for a translator is $40,000 per year. Translators for the European Union and United Nations tend to earn the most. As a result, these positions are extremely competitive.
