Legal translation is one of the types through which a translator transfers text from language to source to target language and is one of the most complex types of translation. Legal translation requires complete administration of law and legal terminology. Legal translation is competent to translate documents submitted to official bodies; What requires adherence to the highest standards of accuracy and quality and possess the necessary research skills. In this article we address what legal translation is, the characteristics of legal translation in Riyadh and its techniques and the importance of using a professional legal translation office in the field.

What is legal translation?

Legal translation is the translation that relates to the text of documents, official and legal papers. Legal translation requires extensive expertise since legal systems vary from state to state and sometimes from society to society due to the association of laws with the cultural and historical characteristics of states and societies. Legal translation also requires accuracy in transferring the text to the target language because any error, however simple, may lead to ambiguity in interpreting the text as a result of legal problems. Translation of legal terminology also requires specialized expertise and study from a legal interpreter from examples of documents that require legal translation:

• Contracts and agreements
• Translation of Saudi birth certificate
• Passports
• Translation of Family Card
• Driving licenses
• Translation of marriage contracts
• Translation of Status Card
• Patents
• Laws and regulations.
• Academic certificates and other documents.

Legal Translation Features

Legal translation is known as one of the most complex types of translation. Legal translation characteristics include:

1. Long sentences may also be complex, which requires skill and accuracy from the translator to transmit these texts clearly and seamlessly.
2. Use some old terms.
3. Legal translation is known for its unfamiliar synthesis of sentences.
4. Use synonyms.
5. Formality and direct orientation of sentences.

Legal Translation Techniques

As mentioned earlier, legal translation requires finer accuracy and must be approached with great care and attention, here are some techniques that help to best complete legal translation:

• Fluency of source and objective languages: The successful translation of texts in law depends on the interpreter’s mastery of the source and objective languages as well as full knowledge of the terminology used in this field. The translator must possess the necessary language skills and the ability to write in a proper manner as well as know the culture of the country in which the document is used to communicate the text clearly, smoothly and optimally.
• Legal expertise: A legal interpreter needs legal expertise in the sense of being fully aware of the laws in States whose language and language he translates. The legal interpreter must also possess the necessary knowledge of all legal terms and how to deal with terminology that does not have equivalent in the target language.
• Understanding the legal document: Legal documents differ in terms of drafting and synthesis of sentences – long and complex sentences -, thus requiring a full understanding from the translator to avoid any error in translating the text, because any error has serious legal consequences. The interpreter must be obliged to convey the meaning as it is and not to add, delete or change legal texts.
• Technology: Technology provides several solutions that help the translator maintain consistency and accuracy of the text. Translation memory is one of these solutions, storing words and phrases that the translator has translated before and can retrieve them when translating a similar text, increasing the speed of translation and maintaining the consistency and accuracy of the text.

Alsun Office offers Riyadh certified translation office high quality accurate translation at competitive prices for all legal texts. Contact us now.