The following are the most important aspects of legal translations:
- The might contain the ambiguities that arise from terms, concepts, or institutions that do not coincide between the legal systems of the source and target languages.
- In order to properly complete the translation, the translator must use a reliable manual or dictionary that clearly defines a term and leaves no room for error in its definition.
- It might contain notes, paraphrasing, or adaptations to clarify the document for the reader in the target language. If the translation then lacks quality and does not make sense, serious problems can result:incorrect attribution of rights, denial of powers, removal from office or position, etc.
- Its form, in terms of how it varies according to the systems and languages in question, forms part of its content.
- It is, in a certain sense, “comparative terminology”, in the same way that the study of similarities and differences of the judicial ordinances of different countries is comparative law.
- The translation cannot be done without going through the process, in some way, of comparative law.
- It is necessary, for documenting, informative, legislative, etc., purposes.
- Thousands of them are done each day throughout the world and fulfill their function quite well, in spite of their imperfections.
- Many times they are better than the original document.
- They must be coherent.
