Questions and answers about written translation in a legal context. Nothing in this website is offered as legal advice. If you need legal advice, consult an attorney.
What’s the difference between translation and interpreting?
A translator takes your written document in one language and provides a written document in another language. An interpreter helps limited-English persons (LEP) with real-time, spoken communication.
Why does my translation have to be done by a certified court interpreter?
California law requires translations filed in a court of record or recorded with a county clerk to be done by a California Certified Court Interpreter or a translator certified by the American Translators Association.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a written translation with a signed declaration (“Translator Certification”) attesting to the accuracy of the translation and the qualifications of the translator.
Does a translator certification have to be notarized?
To record a translation with a county clerk or to get an apostille for the translation, the translator certification must be notarized. For other circumstances, ask your lawyer.
How is price determined for written translation?
Translation is usually billed by the word. Rates vary depending on the language, turnaround, content and formatting. Note that a legal translation cannot omit anything on the page, including seals. You must arrange the fee and other terms directly with the provider you contact.
Why can’t I use software to automatically translate my legal document?
Machine translation technology is fine for rough communications and navigating foreign-language websites, but it is still not good enough to provide an accurate and complete translation. This is especially true for legal translations. Search the referral directory for a certified court interpreter that provides translation services.
Does it matter whether I need a translation from English or into English?
Yes! The direction is important because translators should only write in a native language. In the Referral Directory, select Written translation under services. If your document is in English and you need it translated into another language, select from English. If your document is in another language and you need it translated into English, select into English.
How do I get a translation of my recording in a foreign language?
Transcription & Translation (TT) is a specialty service for audio or video recordings in a foreign language. The process involves two steps, first transcription and then translation, and the final product shows both languages side by side. TT requires specialty knowledge and software, and not all interpreters or translators offer this service. In the Referral Directory, select Transcription & translation under services.
Written Chinese
There are only two forms of written Chinese: Simplified and Traditional, and they do not depend on the spoken dialect. So if you only need a written translation (and not in-person interpreting), the translator does not have to speak the same dialect.
