Careful consideration must always be given before assigning a legal translation translation. This is especially true for Chinese, given the long legal tradition in China. These are the most important issues that must be taken into account when you are looking to translate legal documents into/from Chinese.

Be immersed in the Chinese legal language and culture

Although most competent translators must be native to the target language, this is especially important for the Chinese legal translator due to the complexity of the language even in its currently simplified written form, the complexity of the rapidly evolving Chinese legal system, and the cultural sensitivity of many aspects of Chinese relations with other countries and customs. He or she must be proficient in writing either with traditional or simplified Chinese characters according to the projected target audience.

A brief overview of the Chinese legal system shows that an important aspect of economic modernization in China has been the renovation of the judicial system with the intent of making all citizens equal before the law. A commercial code is in place whereby private ownership of the means of production is protected by law, and partnerships and wholly foreign-owned or joint-venture enterprises are recognized. A court system is in place with local courts handling criminal and civil cases, two intermediate higher level appeals courts and a third Supreme Peoples Court, located in Beijing, as the ultimate appellate court. With local participation in legislation greatly encouraged, the laws in each district and sector can change fairly quickly according to the needs of the people. The laws enacted at the local level must remain within the guidelines of the State constitution; however, often legal research is needed in drafting any document or handling any particular case due to the flexibility of the system. Chinese legal translators must be aware of the context of the document being translated in order to be sure of using the appropriate terms and concepts. Selecting the translator with the exact background for the project is key.

Besides understanding every aspect of the original text, the Chinese translator must recognize boilerplate texts in the original and what the typical boilerplates would be in the target language. Cross-editors are often called upon at this point. For commercial contracts, licensing agreements, etc. where confidence between the parties is paramount, the text must look familiar in the target language as well as being technically correct. The same is true of documents translated into Chinese. In addition to the expertise of the original translator, an additional editor directly familiar with the locality may be needed to address nuances of form and tone.

Whether or not the translated document will have the legal validity to be used in a court case is an important consideration when selecting a Chinese legal translator. To assure legal validity, the translator must find equivalent legal terms for the two texts. He or she must know exactly how the document will be understood in the Chinese courtroom. If the document translated from Chinese is to have legal validity in the target country, often an editor with legal expertise in the target country must also be consulted.

Be scholarly

Legal practitioners in China have a reputation for being scholarly! Since the days of Confucius, the long tradition of legal scholarship continues in China today with arduous programs of study and heated discussion of all things legal. The best professional Chinese legal translator will be totally dedicated to his profession with all the latest information and materials available.

Whatever your Chinese legal translation project, Language-tran will find the best qualified Chinese legal translator in the field for your particular document or text so that you will be able to participate with confidence in the exciting prospects of modern China!