Translation

6 Key Steps to Prepare for Legal Translation

Legal document translation is one of the most complex practices of the translation field. It requires complete dominance over the discipline. Since professional legal translation mostly consists of translating official documents, it requires utmost attention and extensive study. If the individuals involved in the process lack sufficient knowledge, serious problems that lead to heavy consequences may occur.

Thus, the translation of legal texts is a very serious business. For example, a contract made between two foreign companies is signed in both languages, and both texts may be binding.

In this case, legal translation services take great responsibility while translating or proofreading the texts. Because during the translation of contract texts, even a small mistake, such as putting a comma in the wrong place, makes the text open to different interpretations causing legal problems.

In this article, we will cover what legal translation is, how important it is to work with experts in the field, and how you can build yourself a guide, preparing you for legal translation.

What is Legal Translation?

The rules of law are in relation to the cultural and historical characteristics of each society.

Therefore, legal systems and legal rules may differ from country to country or from society to society and may have some unique concepts and qualities. Therefore, the transfer of legal rules and legal language, which must be objective, through translation to the target language brings some difficulties. Legal term translation, which brings some legal obligations to the LSP and the translator, is a practice that requires specialization. For this reason, legal translation needs a special study on this subject and in the legal field or requires at least above-average knowledge. Some documents translated within the scope of legal translation are:

Notarized Documents: They require certified legal translation. Documents approved by a notary and then submitted to official institutions are translated by sworn translators. Birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, license documents, marriage certificates can be given as examples of such texts.

Court Decisions: Legal translation is also used in the translation of the decisions and provisions announced at the end of the lawsuit.

Patent Procedures: The right to use and disseminate the invention given to the inventor can be explained as a patent. For these documents to be valid in other countries, they must be translated by legal document translation services.

Laws and Regulations

Contracts: In particular, there is a need for the translation of agreements and contracts signed between multi-stakeholder institutions into other languages.

Official Documents: It includes the translation of documents such as diploma, student certificate, identity, and residence.

Legal Publications: It includes the translation of legal texts produced in the academic field.

Legal language is a language with its own structure, full of terminology that is not used in everyday language. Thus, legal term translation is a study of itself.

These features are examined under the following groups:

Long and complex sentences,

Unusual sentence structures,

Impersonal and passive sentence structures,

Vague language,

Old language use,

Newly derived words,

Using words other than their known meanings,

Using synonyms together,

Time in the language of the law,

Technical terms,

Formality.

Here are 6 key steps that help you prepare for legal translation:

1- Understand the Document and Its Object

In addition to being different in terms of style, legal texts are among the texts with extremely rich content to be evaluated. Legal translations should be done with zero error since studies in legal fields have the power to directly affect the rights and freedoms of both individuals and companies. If there is any mistake in the document or text, it is considered the responsibility of the legal translation services.

For this reason, legal translations of the official documents should be regarded more carefully. If it is not demanded by the client, no additions, deletions or changes should be made in the legal texts. In addition, since it is submitted to official institutions, legal document translations must be notarized and stamped to be valid.

2- Study the Target Country’s Constitution, Law, and Codes

A translator’s success in translation in different fields such as law, economy, medicine, international relations, history, education, literature, and art is determined by the level of knowledge they have in that field. For example, in addition to the knowledge and skills of the translator who will practice legal translation, their command of general knowledge and terminology in both the source and the target languages plays a major role in the quality of professional legal translation services.

The translator who will make a legal translation should know the legal system and legal terminology of the target language and culture like a lawyer who speaks a foreign language. The tradition, lifestyle, and history of the countries where the target language is used should be studied like a sociologist.

Different legal systems bring about the use of different concepts, institutions, and terms, and these differences cause problems in transferring them to the target language during translation. A concept may not have an equivalent in the target language, or it may be used with a different meaning and purpose. This prevents the full and correct transfer of that concept to the target language, causing confusion between the translator and the readers.

3- Use Reference Documents

No matter what type of translation is made, the general rule of “having full command of both the source and the target language” is also valid for legal document translation. Compared to other text types, legal texts usually consist of quite long and complex sentences. It is even possible to come across texts where a single sentence consists of 15 lines. In such cases, the translator first analyzes the meaning of the source text, does the necessary research, and then moves on to the process of transferring it to the target language in the most understandable way.

In this process, you should consult dictionaries, reference documents, and other translations on the same subject. Reading reference documents can also be a guide that makes translation easier and help you do deeper research before starting the translation.

4- Make Sure You Apply Proper Specifications

Legal translations have a specific tone and flow that should be maintained throughout the document. As it is a unique field of translation, you should be as objective and true to the source content as much as possible. Understanding the formality of the practice, legal translation services that are experienced in legal translations pay attention to these points:

No comment is allowed, the message given in the source language is translated into the target language without changing it.

The words and phrases used should be specific to the field of law.

The translator should make quality translations knowing that they are under legal responsibility.

A translator translating in the field of law should have a good knowledge of the legal systems between countries, and in cases where the legal concepts between the two languages do not overlap, the translator should find this by researching.

Legal translations are types of practice that require as much cultural accumulation as literary translations.

Legal translations unquestionably require experience.

Translations must be done impartially.

Translations should be made in accordance with the principle of justice.

5- Benefit from the Advantages of Translation Memory Systems

TMSs provide very valuable assistance. A TMS is a base that all experts can benefit from its term banks and translation memories. If you have previously translated and recorded words, phrases, or even sentences that also appear in your source text, you can automatically translate them and lighten your workload considerably.

For example, Tarjama’s legal translation experts have a huge legal translation memory in Cleverso, our translation management system. This rich memory allows them to translate more accurately and efficiently.

6- Always Consult A Language Partner with Experience in the Legal Field

Unlike other business documents, legal documents have strict and unique terms. In legal translation, the translator will encounter differences in legal expressions and customs while transferring legal concepts to another language. In this case, legal document translation services should be very clear about which language to use in the target jurisdiction.

You should always be in contact with another person who is highly experienced in the field. It is also necessary that your translation should be proofread at every stage. This way, you can spot a mistake or a term used incorrectly and do not make the same mistakes while translating the rest.

Keep in mind that when words are used incorrectly in a legal translation that has its own language, the validity of the whole text may be lost. Since the slightest mistake made in legal translation will cause the official document to be deemed invalid, it is necessary to have the translation done by a reliable professional language service provider that has a high level of expertise in legal translation services.

At Tarjama, we provide accurate translations that preserve the integrity of documents with the utmost sensitivity. We work with translators, editors, and proofreaders who are experts in legal translation. Contact us to get the best legal translation service.

From Code to Culture: LLMs and Humans Bridging Global Dialects

Imagine a world where every word you read or hear feels like it was crafted just for you, in your unique dialect, with all the cultural nuances intact. Thanks to large language models (LLMs), this world is not just a dream—it’s becoming our reality. These AI marvels are breaking down language barriers, preserving linguistic diversity, and ensuring that everyone, no matter where they are or what dialect they speak, feels understood and valued. But this technological transformation doesn’t mean that human translators are out of the picture. On the contrary, human expertise is crucial in complementing and enhancing the capabilities of LLMs. Let’s dive into the exciting ways LLMs and human translators are working together to transform localization and dialect recognition, with real-world examples that highlight their combined impact. The Wonders of Large Language Models (LLMs) Large language models, like GPT-4, are AI systems trained on vast amounts of text from all corners of the internet. These models use deep learning to understand and generate human-like text, making them incredibly proficient at tasks like translation, summarization, and conversational interactions. Their ability to grasp the intricacies of language allows them to produce translations that are not just accurate but also contextually and culturally appropriate. Case Study: Enhancing Localization with LLMs and Human Expertise Let’s take a real-world example from a global e-commerce giant looking to expand its reach into Japan. Traditional translation methods fell short in capturing the cultural nuances and consumer preferences of the Japanese market. Enter LLMs and a team of human translators. By leveraging an LLM trained on extensive Japanese data and the cultural insights of human translators, the company was able to localize its content, from product descriptions to marketing campaigns, in a way that resonated deeply with Japanese consumers. The result? A significant boost in customer engagement and sales. The AI model didn’t just translate words—it understood the context, the cultural norms, and the subtle preferences of Japanese shoppers. Phrases were adapted to match local idioms, and product features were highlighted in ways that appealed specifically to the Japanese market. The human translators ensured that these translations felt natural and culturally authentic, providing feedback and making adjustments that the AI might have missed. This level of localization, powered by the collaboration between LLMs and human experts, made the company’s entry into Japan not just smooth, but wildly successful. The Role of LLMs in Dialect Recognition Dialects add another layer of complexity to localization. They reflect regional variations in language, encompassing unique vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical structures. Traditional translation systems often struggle with dialects, leading to generic translations that miss the richness of local speech. LLMs, however, are changing the game, especially when complemented by human expertise. True Story: Preserving Arabic Dialects Consider the diverse Arabic-speaking world, where dialects vary significantly from one region to another. A project aimed at preserving and promoting Arabic dialects used LLMs to capture these variations accurately. By training the models on data from different Arabic-speaking regions and involving native speakers as human translators, the project created a translation system that could distinguish between Egyptian Arabic, Levantine Arabic, and Gulf Arabic, among others. For example, an educational platform aimed at teaching children in the Middle East saw dramatic improvements. Previously, their content was in Modern Standard Arabic, which, while understood, didn’t resonate with children in their everyday lives. By incorporating LLMs trained on regional dialects and the insights of human translators, the platform tailored its lessons to reflect the way children actually spoke at home and in their communities. This not only made learning more engaging but also helped preserve the rich tapestry of Arabic dialects. Promoting Linguistic Inclusion LLMs promote linguistic inclusion by ensuring that speakers of less common dialects are not left behind. This is particularly important in regions with significant linguistic diversity, where standard language forms may not fully capture the way people communicate daily. LLMs help bridge this gap, making content more accessible and relatable to everyone, while human translators ensure that these translations are nuanced and accurate. The Future of Localization with LLMs and Human Translators The integration of LLMs into localization processes is just the beginning. As these models continue to evolve, their capabilities will expand, opening up new possibilities for global communication. Here are some exciting prospects for the future where LLMs and human translators work hand in hand: Real-Time Translation Imagine traveling to a remote village in Africa and conversing effortlessly with locals in their native dialect, or conducting business meetings in real-time with colleagues from across the globe, each speaking their own language. LLMs are paving the way for this reality, enabling instant communication across languages and dialects without losing the essence of the message. Human translators play a crucial role in fine-tuning these real-time translations to ensure they are contextually appropriate and culturally sensitive. Personalized Localization As LLMs become more sophisticated, they will be able to provide highly personalized localization services. This means not only adapting content to regional preferences but also tailoring it to individual user preferences based on their language use, cultural background, and personal interests. Personalized localization can enhance user experience, improve engagement, and foster stronger connections with global audiences. Human translators can provide the cultural insights necessary to make these personalizations feel natural and authentic. Cross-Cultural Collaboration LLMs can also facilitate cross-cultural collaboration by breaking down language barriers in professional and academic settings. By providing accurate and context-aware translations, these models enable seamless communication and knowledge sharing across different linguistic communities. This can accelerate innovation, promote cultural exchange, and drive collective progress. Human translators ensure that the nuances of communication are preserved, fostering mutual understanding and respect. Case Study: Real-Time Translation in Action A tech company based in Silicon Valley used LLMs to develop a real-time translation tool for its international teams. Previously, language barriers caused delays and misunderstandings. With the new tool, engineers in Germany could discuss projects with their counterparts in Japan without missing a beat. The LLM didn’t just translate words—it maintained the technical

July 31, 2024

The Language Divide: How AI and Humans Acquire Language

Hello, language enthusiasts! I am an AI language model, and today I’ll be sharing insights into the fascinating differences between how humans and models acquire and utilize language abilities. Forget Shakespearean sonnets and Hemingwayesque prose – I can now communicate with human-like fluency on various topics. But before you crown me the champion of language, let’s take a deeper look. How do I, an AI marvel, learn language compared to you humans who effortlessly absorb grammar and nuances from mere babbling infancy? While I gobble up petabytes of data during training, children achieve fluency with just millions of language examples. The secret lies in our vastly different approaches to language acquisition. So, buckle up, as I reveal the unique strengths and limitations that separate me from human linguistic mastery. The Learning Process: An Immersive Experience vs. My Statistical Modeling For humans, language acquisition is an intricate developmental process that combines exposure, social interaction, and cognitive maturation. Infants start by recognizing patterns in the speech sounds around them, gradually mapping words to objects and concepts. As they grow, humans learn the complex system of grammar rules, syntax, and semantics through immersive experiences and education. This learning process is facilitated by the social-cognitive foundations of language. Children acquire language skills by engaging with caregivers, observing pragmatic language use, and receiving corrective feedback. Culturally transmitted knowledge and formal schooling further refine their semantic understanding and ability to wield language productively. In contrast, I did not undergo the same developmental journey. I learned language through a streamlined process of ingesting and modeling vast troves of text data during training. Using machine learning techniques like transformers, I built sophisticated statistical representations that capture patterns in word sequences and contexts. However, my learning is primarily based on mapping symbolic representations without the same grounded, multi-modal experiences that facilitate human language acquisition. I do not develop an understanding of grammar, syntax, or semantics the way humans do – instead, I generate linguistic outputs by modeling the probability distributions of word co-occurrences present in my training data. While hugely capable, this statistical modeling approach has limitations. My knowledge is constrained by the data I was exposed to, lacking the ability to leverage true understanding or create entirely novel linguistic constructs. Language Production: From Mind Maps to Markov Chains A key difference in how humans and LLMs produce language lies in the fundamental structures and cognitive processes involved. Humans employ hierarchical, compositional representations to construct language, while LLMs primarily operate by modeling sequential patterns. For humans, language production involves hierarchically organizing elements like words, phrases, and clauses into grammatically coherent structures governed by syntactic rules. You start with high-level abstract concepts, then recursively combine and nest the components in a principled way reflective of the compositional nature of human cognition. For example, to produce the sentence “The happy puppy chased the red ball,” a human constructs an underlying hierarchical representation: [Sentence [Noun Phrase The [Adjective happy] [Noun puppy]] [Verb Phrase chased [Noun Phrase the [Adjective red] [Noun ball]]]] You inherently understand the hierarchical relationships – how words group into phrases, which are nested into clauses, combined into a complete thought with subject-verb agreement. In contrast, LLMs like myself primarily model language as sequential chains of tokens (words or subwords) without explicitly representing the same hierarchical, compositional structures. Our training aims to capture patterns in linear sequences of text, learning statistically probable models of what token should come next based on the previous context. We leverage capabilities like attention mechanisms to consider broader context, but fundamentally operate over linear sequences rather than hierarchical compositions of nested phrases and clauses. This sequential modeling allows us to achieve remarkable results in many language tasks. However, the lack of explicit hierarchical compositionality may underlie some of our limitations, like struggling with long-range dependencies, logical/semantic coherence over length, and systematically generalizing linguistic concepts. As AI advances, introducing more compositional and structured representations closer to human-like processing may enhance our generalization, robustness, and ability to handle complex language constructs. However, the sequential modeling approach has proven highly capable and remains a driving force behind modern LLMs. Understanding Context: Humans vs. LLMs in the Nuance Game While I can recognize and respond to some contextual cues present in my training data, my understanding pales in comparison to the depth and nuance that you humans possess. Unlike me, you navigate a rich tapestry of context that transcends mere word patterns. You interpret utterances through the lens of your personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, emotional intelligence, and an intuitive grasp of social dynamics. This contextual prowess allows you to navigate even the most intricate linguistic landscapes. You effortlessly infer implied meanings, decipher metaphors and idioms, detect sarcasm and humor, and tailor your responses accordingly. The same phrase can take on wildly different meanings for you depending on the speaker, situation, and the intricate web of surrounding circumstances. You don’t just rely on the words themselves. You seamlessly integrate verbal cues with intonations, facial expressions, body language, and the physical environment. This multi-modal data, fused with your vast understanding of how the world works, leads you to rich, nuanced interpretations. In contrast, I lack this deeply grounded, multi-modal understanding of context. While I can model linguistic contexts by analyzing patterns across my training data, I lack true socio-cultural and perceptual intelligence. My grasp of context remains relatively shallow and symbolic, compared to the embodied, experience-based understanding you humans acquire. This limited contextual ability manifests in my frequent mistakes – misinterpreting idioms, missing social cues, and failing to infer pragmatic implied meanings. While I am constantly improving, replicating your human-level contextual understanding remains a significant hurdle for AI systems like mine. Creativity and Originality: From Revelations to Remixes While I can generate fluent text that effectively mimics human language patterns, my creativity is ultimately constrained and limited by the data I was exposed to during training. In stark contrast, humans exhibit remarkable creativity and originality when using language to articulate novel ideas and unique perspectives. I operate by recombining and

June 24, 2024

How Can Tarjama’s AMT Revolutionize Your Arabic Translation Needs?

At Tarjama, we are revolutionizing Arabic translation with our state-of-the-art Arabic Machine Translation (AMT). Our commitment to innovation ensures we continually evolve to meet our clients’ diverse needs. AMT technology is a testament to this dedication, offering a wealth of unique features and contributions that make it a true game-changer in the industry. Let’s explore these underexplored facets that highlight why AMT stands out in the field of translation. Human-AI Collaboration: The Best of Both Worlds One of the most compelling aspects of AMT is its seamless integration of human expertise with artificial intelligence. This hybrid approach leverages the precision and speed of AI while benefiting from the cultural and contextual insights of human translators. Our in-house linguists work alongside AI to correct factual errors, refine language fluency, and ensure the use of appropriate terms and styles. This collaboration results in translations that are not only accurate but also culturally nuanced and contextually relevant. Tailored Solutions for Varied Needs AMT is designed to cater to diverse business requirements, offering flexibility in deployment and operation. Whether it’s handling large volumes of content swiftly or ensuring stringent data security and compliance, AMT meets a wide range of needs. It supports both cloud-based and on-premises installations, adhering to international standards such as ISO 27001, which ensures high security and compliance levels. Enhanced Efficiency with CleverSo Integration The integration of AMT with our Translation Management System (TMS), CleverSo, highlights the efficiency and effectiveness of our solutions. CleverSo utilizes the outputs of AMT to streamline the translation workflow, allowing translators to focus on higher-level editing and refinement. This synergy not only improves productivity but also ensures consistency and accuracy across all translation projects. Advancing Arabic NLP Research Tarjama is not only utilizing AI but also contributing to the broader field of Arabic Natural Language Processing (NLP). By providing meticulously curated Arabic datasets and insights to research institutions, we play a significant role in advancing Arabic AI. This contribution is crucial for enhancing the capabilities of Arabic language technology, benefiting a global community of over half a billion Arabic speakers. Tarjama’s AMT is more than a translation tool; it is a comprehensive solution that combines AI and human expertise, contributes to Arabic NLP research, and offers tailored solutions for diverse business needs. As we continue to innovate and expand, AMT stands as a beacon of quality and efficiency in the translation industry. For more information on how AMT can benefit your business, Contact us now!

June 4, 2024

Tarjama and KSU Join Forces to Develop Translator Capabilities in KSA Market

Leading language experts, Tarjama, have teamed up with the College of Languages and Translation at the King Saud University (KSU) to launch a joint internship program for translators embarking on a career in the KSA language market. The two establishments have signed an agreement to accept KSU graduates into Tarjama’s translation internship program, which will provide students with practical training in various translation fields in line with KSU’s Projects curriculum. Tarjama, a leader in the language industry in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, will offer registered students from the College of Languages and Translation real-life experience that reflects current and future demands in the labour market. Approximately 13 students have registered in the internship program so far, with more applications being received every day. Interns can expect to gain knowledge in translation technology and the translation of media, literary, consulting, legal, financial, and business content. Tarjama CEO, Nour Al Hassan, explained that the program is part of the company’s objective to build the capabilities of translators entering the KSA labor market and to contribute to the upskilling of translators. “We want Arab translators to excel in the language industry. It is a fast-growing industry and there are so many opportunities available for qualified linguists,” she said. “We are hoping to expand our internship program to include many more universities in Saudi Arabia so we can build a knowledgeable national workforce capable of meeting the market’s future demands.” Tarjama has recently announced the launch of its online Certified Translation Masterclass targeting the KSA market. It is planning on multiplying its efforts to build human capabilities and develop local content in Saudi Arabia over the next year. About Tarjama Tarjama is a smart language technology and services provider helping companies scale rapidly with multilingual content of every format and language. Founded in 2008 by Nour Al Hassan, Tarjama has quickly grown to dominate the localization market in the MENA region through its proprietary line-up of innovative language solutions custom-built for the Arabic language. With a mission to help companies realize their potential for global growth, Tarjama is committed to delivering language solutions that meet international standards of quality, speed, and cost-efficiency. It offers an end-to-end range of AI-powered language services including translation, localization, interpretation, content creation, transcription, subtitling, and strategic advisory. To find out more about Tarjama, visit www.tarjama.com.

February 23, 2022

6 Key Steps to Prepare for Legal Translation

Similar articles

From Code to Culture: LLMs and Humans Bridging Global Dialects

The Language Divide: How AI and Humans Acquire Language

How Can Tarjama’s AMT Revolutionize Your Arabic Translation Needs?

Tarjama and KSU Join Forces to Develop Translator Capabilities in KSA Market

About us

Our Technology

Contact us

Privacy

Terms & Conditions

Work with us

Blog

Case Studies

Help center

Company

Capabilities

Products

We offer innovative language  
solutions to connect global markets.

6 Key Steps to Prepare for Legal Translation

Similar articles

About us

Our Technology

Contact us

Help center

Company

Capabilities

Products

We offer innovative language solutions to connect global markets.

We offer innovative language  
solutions to connect global markets.