legal translation gone wrong: 10 mistakes to avoid when having your legal content translated

Copyright 2011 viaLanguage. All Rights Reserved

Legal Translation Gone Wrong:10 mistakes to avoid when having legal content translated

Presented by viaLanguage

Welcome CB

Copyright 2011 viaLanguage. All Rights ReservedCopyright 2011 viaLanguage. All Rights Reserved

Your Presenters CB

• Vincent A. RuizAttorney, Ruiz Law Group

• Renee GrimmerLegal Account Executive, viaLanguage

• Chanin BallanceModerator, CEO and President, viaLanguage


Today’s Agenda CB

Avoiding Common Mistakes through:

• Selecting and using the right resources

• Ensuring legal and linguistic accuracy

• Strategies for efficiency and cost savings

• Summary/Q&A


Global Trends‐ RG

Global Trends

•Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

•UK Bribery Act –July 1, 2011

•EU’s Medical Device Directive

•International Packaging Laws

•International Remittance Market


Rising Diversity ‐ CB

Top business languages worldwide

1. English2. Mandarin Chinese3. French4. Arabic5. Spanish6. Russian7. Portuguese8. Japanese9. German10. Italian

Bloomberg, August 2011

Spanish or Spanish Creole62%

Chinese5%

Tagalog3%

French2%

Vietnamese2%

German2%

Korean2%

Russian2%

Arabic1%

Other Asian languages

1%All Other languages

18%

Languages Spoken at Home in the U.S.(Other than English)

U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey


•Lack of legal and linguistic experts

•Budgets

•Risk

•Limited time

Why is this a Growing Challenge? RG


Section Break: Avoiding the Mistakes—Starting with the Right Resources– CB


Use resources that are subject matter experts:• Language, region, culture, dialects• National/local laws and regulations • Specific subject matter expertise, area of law

NMistake 1: Using a General Translator VR


Examples– VR

“Transit” and “tránsito” • True cognates• Literal translation= “un cheque en tránsito.”• Best legal translation= “un cheque no local.”

“Withdraw” and “draw” • Literal translation of “withdraw” = “retirar.”• But to “draw” on a line of credit is not “retirar fondos de una

línea de crédito.”• Rather, it is “disponer de fondos de una línea de crédito (to

“avail oneself” of borrowed money through a credit line


Mistake 2: Matching the Wrong Resource – RG

Attorney, freelance translator, agency or employee?


Mistake 3: Not Verifying Credentials VR

Look for: •Education•Experience•Native speaker•Regional expertise• Field experts


Example—Regional Expertise VR

N

“Fee” • In Mexico= “una comisión” (late payment or registration fee) • In other countries = “un cargo” (having a closer meaning to a

“charge”) or “un derecho” (e.g., a “planning commission fee)

“Tax Return” • A tax return is “una declaración de impuestos.” • In Puerto Rico, the U.S. tax return is referred to as “una planilla

federal (de taxes).”****note the use of the English word “taxes”


Section Break: Ensuring Legal and Linguistic Accuracy CB


• Reputational issues and sound business practices

• Compliance with strict regulatory requirements

• Avoiding legal exposure

The Importance of Relevancy and Accuracy


Mistake 4: The Clash of the Clauses RG

• Always pay attention to sensitive content/clauses

• Call this to the translators attention

• I.E. Choice of Law Clause, Arbitration Clause, etc.


Mistake 5: Not Establishing a Glossary and Style Guide VR

• List of translated (client‐approved) terms‐Ensures consistency‐Ensures understanding‐ Super‐duper® service = el servicio Super‐duper®

• Should not be taken as the final word for every instance


Mistake 6: Not Drafting with Translation in Mind RG

• Standardize language• Remember text expansion• Simplify the layout • Font requirements


Section Break: Strategies for Efficiency and Cost Savings– CB


Mistake 7: Using too Much/too Little Translation Memory RG

Translation Memory (TM): • Saves Money (100% Matches =

proofreading charges only)

• Increases consistency

• Saves time

• Final proofing is essential


Mistake 8: Cutting Short Quality Control VR

Don’t rely too much on translation tools and technology without having the final content reviewed by a legal professional or legal linguist.


Avoid Added Fees: Prepare, Organize and Centralize RG

Sample File Structure


Mistake 9: Using MT for important content RG

Consider your content: • Sensitivity• Purpose of translation• Desired outcome• Which pieces need to be

flagged for translation?



• Know the variables to pricing

• Use translator/attorney teams

• Avoid rush fees: build time requirements into project deadlines

• Finalize files prior to submitting

NMMistake 10: Paying too Little/too Much RG



Putting it all together…. CB

1. Select the right team and resources

2. Ensure legal & linguistic accuracy

3. Know how to cut time & costs

4. Appropriate usage of translation tools

L


Q&A– CB


www.viaLanguage.com

[email protected]

Thank You For Attending! CB

A copy of the webinar will be emailed to you shortly

L

Vincent Ruiz

Ruiz Law Group

www.ruizlawgroup.com

legal translation gone wrong: 10 mistakes to avoid when having your legal content translated

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