The field of legal translations is arguably the most highly specialized entity in language translation.  Legal translations of international contracts and agreements, court documentation and foreign law need total accuracy due to the acute nature of legal documents.  In order to accomplish this, Legal translators are not just versed in the target language but the source language as well when it comes to legal terminology. They often have a law degree as well as being trained as legal translators and understand the nuances that exist between international legal theories.  

Translation is complex and not to be left in the “hands” of software translation programs, especially in the matters of law.  International business relationships are fragile, and using the wrong avenue for your business translations can lead to disaster.  Legal translations, when in the right capacity, are not cheap, but are well worth it in the long run.  A qualified legal translator will translate your documents in compliance with local regulatory bodies which will protect you from situations resulting in costly litigation.  Cutting corners with unqualified translators or software programs will only get you in trouble

A professional legal translator understands that with law, oftentimes, an institution that is used in one legal system does not exist in the other.  Or one word can have diverse meanings within each legal system.  For example, in regard to prison sentencing, the Swiss, Belgium, and French Penal systems all have a different gage of severity among their definitions of “imprisonment”, “reclusion”, “detention”, and “reclusión criminelle”.  All four words mean imprisonment, but each one has a different sentencing depending on which language is being translated. You can see how quickly things can get twisted around.  Any tiny bit of misinterpretation can lead a business into litigation if the wrong moves are made.  
A successful international business has to respect cultural differences in language in order to prosper.  That respect comes from putting the right professionals in place who know how to effectively translate their business without causing embarrassment for either party. To bring this home, take the example of Google’s presence in China.
Google uses “Google Translate” which is a beta service provided by Google Inc. to translate WebPages into another language.  Robin Wauters of TechCrunch published an article that addressed just how wrong things can go with a mechanical translation. After the announcement that Google’s President in China, Kai-Fu Lee, was leaving the company in 2009, Wauters wanted to learn more.  Wauters used Google Translate to make sense of Kai-Fu Lee’s blogs and tweets about the issue and the following translation is what was given.

“To continue to talk to my employees interesting: in 2006 in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Kai-Fu hosted exchange, just who is in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Tina, or exchange to another table, called a la carte Kai-Fu advisory matters. Kai-Fu Lee to smoked tea duck and after the class Meat recommended that the vegetables you casually Come on, anyway, are not tasty Where could they be to eat, when the drug ate enough.”  

Google no longer exists in China.    

At Language Tran, we have highly trained in legal translations and have linguists on staff with law degrees.  We can provide you with certified or non-certified translations with strict confidentiality.  We are available for onsite service or electronic service anywhere.  Our home office is in Austin, TX with resources to serve the U.S. and other countries.  If you are located in Austin, Houston, New York, or Washington, D.C., we have local numbers and offices in your area. Otherwise, contact us toll free at 888-253-9580.  We look forward to assisting you!