Let’s face it, translating legal documents isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It’s a tough job that demands both expertise and serious attention to detail. When you’re working with two completely different legal systems—like China’s and those in Western countries—things get even trickier.
China’s legal system is unique. It’s not always as rigid as you might think. Policies and regulations can be flexible, and decisions often take into account things like social harmony and unity. That’s why handling legal translations, especially contracts, requires extra care and the right expertise.
Here are 4 tips to make sure your legal documents are translated accurately:
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1 Don’t yield to the temptation of cheap translation
In the legal sector, you’re paying for the expertise and knowledge of translators and lawyers. There’s no such thing as cheap translation with high-quality output, that’s too good to be true. So, make sure you set a budget for your contracts, and you can always compare rates as you go through the process.
Keep in mind that you also need to give more time for legal translation projects. If someone or an agency is touting you a $10 high-quality translation, that’s a trap. You’ll face problems later on.
2 Ask for a test translation to see if you’re fit to work together
If this is your first time to work with local suppliers in China, you can also ask for a test translation. Depending on the number of words, some agencies have set minimum words for a free test translation.
You can also ask for a paid test translation and set the minimum number of words or even pages. It can be daunting to find a legal translator in China. You may also read one of the guides about the traits of local agencies to help you on your quest to find the right one.
3 Consult to lawyers and law firms for crucial cases
Your reputation matters. If you work with translators who are not proficient in Chinese laws, you’ll get into trouble in the future. Work with legal translators who are also specializing in that specific branch of law (e.g., civil law, property, law, labor law, sales of good law, etc.).
Better have third and even fourth sets of eyes on your final documents for crucial cases. Mistranslation of texts can ruin your reputation and may also result in a lawsuit against your company.
If you have IP (intellectual property) documents, make sure that the legal translators will not omit technical features. Or add something that may result in a change of scope of trademark protection.
4 Legal translators should understand the nuances and mindful of details
Translating some words from English to Chinese can be sometimes tricky. Legal translators should be careful with the terms and nuances. They might change the texts or the thought of what the original version is actually stipulating.
The words “one” or “more” can be overlooked by inexperienced legal translators. Some may use and translate these words to “a” or “an” that may mean “one” sort or a piece or “one” piece. But the original texts may have a different meaning.
In the Chinese language, the word “必须 (bixu)” can have the English equivalent to “must”, “may,” “should,” and “shall.” Just imagine these words that are always seen and used in legal documents. The and headaches this can cause whenever you translate Chinese contracts. Have a panel of lawyers and professional legal translators to work with and consult with these details.
If you have legal documents that need Chinese translation, feel free to contact our team. It’s hard to find a long-term supplier of legal translations in Chinese.
Wish you good luck in your legal translations!
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Tough Challenges Of Translating Legal Documents
