What Does a Legal Translator Do?
Now that you’re more aware of what is required to become a legal translator, it’s most definitely worth your time to dive deeper into this fresh career opportunity. In this section, we’ll discuss what a legal translator does, why accurate translation matters, and what type of documents they typically work with. Consider this your front-row seat on a legal translator’s world. A legal translator’s job is to translate from one language to another while keeping the accuracy of the content intact. Logical, isn’t it? Most of the time, a legal translator will work under the supervision of a notary public, whose duty is to ensure the translation is completed accurately. As a legal translator, you’ll work on all types of legal documents and should be well-versed in the technical jargon associated with them. There are also specific formatting standards that need to be met, depending on the document. For example , the formatting requirements for birth certificates are vastly different than those for police certificates. Here are some examples of the types of documents a legal translator may be tasked with translating: A legal translator’s profession is a critical aspect of the legal system. It definitely takes a specific type of intelligence and attention to detail to be successful. Most of the time, you’ll be working on government documents such as court documents, police certificates, and even contracts. Unfortunately, there will always be people who doubt the validity of translations, and it could result in you having to deal with unwanted legal issues on your own. In order to avoid that problem, it’s a good idea to partner with a reputable notary public who can supervise your translations. While you’ll still need to be careful with the information you present online and in your portfolio, supervision by a notary public typically gives clients confidence that your work should hold up in court.
Skills Required for a Career in Legal Translation
To excel as a legal translator, proficiency in both the source and target languages is a given. However, beyond sheer power of linguistic analysis, the legal translator is also expected to have a remarkable memory so that he or she can keep legal terminologies in context and avoid inconsistencies and omissions. Attention to detail is another desirable trait that helps with spotting errors and correcting them in the most accurate manner possible. As laws vary considerably from one region to another, cultural competency is also a big plus. In some instances, this may entail translating for an entirely different legal system, and that will require a good grasp of how legal frameworks function in various regions or jurisdictions.
Educational Requirements for Legal Translators
While some legal translators enter the field from linguistics and translation backgrounds, others have formal education in law. Their bilingual proficiency in legal terminology, as well as their understanding of law itself, enables them to deliver high-quality translations, which satisfy even the most linguistically-frustrated attorneys.
Those with such experience include foreign trained lawyers (or attorneys as they are more commonly known in the United States) who have become licensed to practice law in the US through the Foreign Legal Consultant Program offered by many states and overseen by the American Bar Association, as well as US law school graduates who hold a foreign JD or LLB degree concurrent with their US JD degree, and foreign lawyers who have completed LLM or SJD degrees at US law schools.
Such persons as those suggested above are fundamental to ensuring that translated documents are legally sound, that meaning is both accurate and apt, that intent is recognized and honored, and that purpose is preserved. Competency in these areas is essential because legal translators labor at the intersection of law and language. This means that translation must be accurate from both an attorney’s and linguist’s perspective.
Law school courses that are relevant to legal translation include legal writing, constitutional law, international law, conflict of laws, international trade law, and intellectual property law, among other subjects. These courses tend to be part of a program leading towards a J.D., L.L.M, or S.J.D. Advanced degrees are particularly valuable for foreign-trained lawyers who do not hold a U.S. law degrees but who are eligible for the FLC program and who which to practice in the United States.
Many law schools also offer graduate level certificates in either legal research and writing or legal studies to those lawyers who do not wish or cannot get an L.LM or J.D. Such programs are invaluable in providing students with the training necessary to complete legal documents suitable for submission in US courts.
Professional Credentials for Legal Translators
While it is not strictly necessary to have any translation credentials, an increasing number of legal translators are obtaining them. Legal translators come from different backgrounds, which also means that they have different kinds of qualifications. However, professional associations and third-party certification hold considerable weight with legal professionals, who may be increasingly unwilling to accept documents from translators who lack formal accreditation. Such qualifications can mean the difference between getting hired for a limited bilingual task and landing a lucrative long-term contract. Most importantly, a certification gives a legal translator the confidence to accept a wide variety of new legal assignments.
The American Translators Association awards the coveted Certificate of Translation Proficiency to translators who pass their challenging examination in which they translate two one-page legal texts from English into a foreign language. There are separate tests for translation from foreign languages into English and for scientific or technical texts.
To earn individual accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Linguists, Translators Division, applicants must pass a notoriously difficult three-hour exam. In addition to its written exam, the IoLET also requires candidates for its diploma to complete a supervised written project and a five-hour oral assessment. Although the IoLET has been offering these exams since 1988, they are still considered some of the toughest assessment instruments available.
Alternatively, legal translators can choose to pursue a postgraduate degree in translation. Many certificate and degree programs are geared toward specific fields, including law, medicine, and business. Because they are so expensive, learners should make sure that suitable scholarships and financial aid exist.
Involving field-specific educators and professionals in the educational process helps to ensure the rigor of accredited translation programs. In addition to teaching, industry experts also work as examiners, evaluators, course reviewers, and course reporters.
Gaining Experience as a Legal Translator
Gaining practical experience is the next essential building block on your path to becoming a successful legal translator. Taking up an internship at a law office or with a non-profit organization can help you build resume-worthy credentials while obtaining valuable experience. It also broadens your professional network as you build relationships with professionals in the field.
Receiving an internship can be as simple as sending out a letter of inquiry to local law firms and requesting an internship. Many non-profit and public interest law offices have internship opportunities for translators or interpreters as well, particularly if they serve clientele who speak foreign languages. You can search for these opportunities on job listing boards, or contact them directly and inquire about available internships.
Volunteer opportunities are also available in the legal field through various online networks , such as Translators Without Borders. Translators Without Borders frequently partners with NGOs that focus on responding to humanitarian and development crises. Translator volunteers work on a pro bono basis to provide English and non-English speakers with the center services they need. Translators Without Borders also provides volunteer opportunities for collaborating with others translators and monitoring translation assignments.
Finally, if you want to get a head start on working with law firms or agencies that handle legal documents or provide services related to legal documents, look up the various government positions available on USA Jobs or Check in with the U.S.’s Department of State. While you will not be considered by some agencies unless you are a U.S. citizen, Department of State positions are inclusive and available to everyone. Even internships come available to those who are not U.S. citizens.
How to Find a Job as a Legal Translator
Finding work as a legal translator can seem daunting, but with the right strategies, it can be a manageable task. Leveraging your existing network, joining translation professional organizations, and marketing yourself through online platforms are all viable options to consider.
Networking is a powerful tool for any professional, and legal translators are no exception. Reach out to your existing network of friends, family, and colleagues to let them know that you are a legal translator looking for work. They may know someone or some organization that might need your translation services. You can ask them to refer you to potential clients.
Joining professional organizations is another way to find work as a legal translator. Professional organizations, such as the American Translators Association or the International Association of Translators and Interpreters, have job boards and job postings for their members. Becoming a member of these organizations can give you access to exclusive job postings and networking opportunities with other legal translators. You can also look for local translation groups and associations to join.
Online freelance platforms are another great way to find work as a legal translator. Freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr connect freelancers with potential clients from around the world. These platforms allow you to create a profile showcasing your skills and expertise and bid on projects that interest you. While freelance platforms may not be your preferred way of finding work, they can be a good way to get started and build your portfolio.
Overall, becoming a legal translator is both a rewarding and challenging career choice. With the right strategies and a dedication to accuracy and quality, you can become a successful legal translator. Whether you choose to find work through networking, professional organizations, or online freelance platforms, there are many opportunities available for legal translators.
Challenges of Legal Translation Work
Legal translation presents a host of unique challenges. For instance, depending on the legal system of each country and the content of the document to be translated, a translator may be called upon to decipher complex legal jargon. Some of the legal fields with the most complex language are tax law, family law, labor/employment law, and commercial law. Additionally, legal translators must always keep in mind their ethical code, which prohibits them from revealing information that they come across while translating legal documents . Translators must retain the utmost confidentiality in the course of their work, a requirement that some may find difficult because on occasion they may be called upon to translate documents that call for an opinion or judgment. The law is complex and highly specialized, and legal translators must make sure to maintain high standards of accuracy in their work. As in any other profession, mistranslations in the legal field can cause clients major problems.