Three Steps to Becoming a Quality Legal Translator

Legal translation is without doubt one of the most in-demand translation services available online. Not every translator out there is able to fulfil this demand, however, as the sector itself requires so much specialised knowledge and skills. This leaves a large void where suitable candidates should be, so the ones that do have what is required are able to command premium rates. One notable aspect that makes their job so demanding is the sensitivity of these types of translations, and the disastrous consequences that can occur when they are not done to a sufficient standard. Those that possess the prized combination of legal nous and fluency in another language – stemming originally from either one background or the other – certainly might want to consider a career as a legal translator. In more detail, the three essential qualities that any prospective legal translator should possess are as follows:

1.       Total fluency in the target language – Let us be clear that nothing other than total fluency in the target language both orally and verbally is acceptable from those plying their careers in legal translation. Too many employers across the globe try to take the gamble of employing translators with a highly impressive legal background but without high-level linguistic skills. The results of this indecision are always noticeable in a negative way, as it is knowing the subtle nuances of a target language that is integral to producing a legal translation that is accurate down to the finest detail.

2.      Previous experience in the legal profession– On the other side of the coin, it is essential that a significant amount of legal knowledge and experience is present in the repertoire of a legal translator. A legal translator should preferably have had previous experience working in a legal administrative role, because knowhow in regard to data-oriented legal procedures is essential in getting a legal translation done correctly.

3.      A finger in every legal pie – the legal profession obviously stretches out over a multitude of different areas. A legal translator is unlikely to specialise in just one these areas – like corporate law, family law or criminal law – so should instead possess a suitable amount of knowledge in each and every one of them if they are called upon to translate a document relevant to a specific area. Of course a translator can seek advice and carry out independent research, but they must have an understanding of the broad scope of law in the first place.