Legal translation is a particularly demanding field, where the slightest error can have serious consequences: procedural flaws, invalidated contractual clauses, international disputes, and even a loss of customer confidence. Unlike conventional translations, this type of translation requires in-depth knowledge of the legal systems of each country, as well as mastery of the terminology specific to each branch of law.
However, even the most seasoned translators are not immune to errors, not least because of the complexity of legal language and the structural differences between different legal systems.
In this article, we'll look at the most common errors encountered in legal translation, and see how Lexa, the machine translation tool designed specifically for lawyers and legal professionals, can help avoid them.
Common mistakes in legal translation
Misunderstanding of legal terms
One of the most common errors is the confusion between terms which, although appearing similar in different languages, actually have quite distinct legal meanings.
Example : In English, the term "obligation" may refer to a financial debt or a legal liability. In French, however, "obligation" has a broader meaning, designating a constraint or legal commitment. A misinterpretation of this word could therefore significantly alter the meaning of a contract.
Risks : An inaccurate translation of a legal term can lead to conflicts of interpretation and even litigation, particularly in international contracts.
Failure to take account of local legal specificities
Each country has its own unique legal system, based on a variety of traditions such as Common Law and Civil Law. Ignoring the specific features of the law in force when translating a legal text can lead to inconsistencies or inappropriate wording.
Example : A contract in French law may include concepts that do not exist in Anglo-Saxon law, such as the notion of "force obligatoire du contrat" (binding force of the contract) taken from the Civil Code. Conversely, there are also elements specific to Anglo-Saxon law that may have no equivalent in French law. For example, a literal translation of a clause does not guarantee its legal value in the other system.
Risks : An overly literal translation can render a document legally inapplicable, or lead to misunderstandings between parties.
Structure and syntax errors
Legal documents are subject to strict drafting rules that differ from country to country. Incorrect sentence construction or an inappropriate choice of grammatical tense can alter the meaning or create ambiguities in translation.
Example : In English, contracts often use the passive voice to state obligations, as in the phrase "Payment must be made by the buyer." In contrast, French favors a more active, direct formulation, such as "L'acheteur doit effectuer le paiement. "
Risks : A translation that does not respect the syntactic structures specific to the target language can make a text unclear or difficult to understand.
Layout and format errors
In the legal field, the presentation of documents is just as important as their content. A simple formatting error can result in the rejection of a document by an administration or a court.
Example : Certain official documents, such as notarial deeds or court decisions, must conform to a rigorous format. This implies specific margins, precise numbering and a presentation that faithfully respects the original.
Risks : A poorly presented translation may be rejected by a legal authority, leading to corrections and resubmission. This can waste time and damage the credibility of the company or law firm involved.
How can you avoid these mistakes with Lexa?
Technology trained on specialized bodies of law
Unlike conventional translation engines, Lexa has been designed specifically for the legal field. It relies on databases containing only legal texts, guaranteeing relevant and accurate translations.
Advantage : A perfectly mastered legal vocabulary, eliminating terminology errors and false friends.
Choosing the right legal field for a precise translation
Lexa offers users the option of selecting a specific legal field for translation, whether it be business law, labor law, criminal law, etc.
Advantage: Terminology adapted to each context, thus minimizing the risk of misinterpretation.
For example , a lawyer specializing in corporate law might choose this field to obtain an optimized translation of articles of association or financial reports, while a notary might select "notarial law" to ensure the accuracy of deeds.
Managing glossaries and official terminologies
With Lexa, users can :
- Access official legal glossaries.
- Import their own internal glossaries to standardize their translations.
Advantage : Perfect consistency in translations, guaranteeing terminological coherence between several documents in the same file.
An integrated layout tool
Lexa automatically preserves the original layout of the translated document, which can lead to formatting losses and laborious manual adjustments.
Benefit : Time savings and compliance with formats required by legal institutions.
Example: A contract of several dozen pages can be translated while retaining the same structure, numbering and footnotes.
Post-editing by legal experts
Although Lexa 's AI is particularly powerful, some legal translations require human validation. That's why Lexa offers the option of calling in a post-editing expert, to ensure a perfectly compliant translation.
Advantage : Dual verification combining the speed of AI and human expertise for strategic or high value-added documents.
Example : An international law firm can have the translation of an M&A contract checked before submitting it to the parties.
Legal translation is a complex task requiring in-depth expertise and rigor. Frequent errors in terminology, differences between legal systems, syntactical structure or layout can have serious legal consequences.
With Lexa, legal professionals have a tool specially designed to meet these challenges. Its high-performance engine, legal field selection, glossary integration, respect for page layout and expert post-editing capabilities guarantee accurate, reliable translations. Opting for Lexa means choosing an optimized solution that enhances efficiency and helps avoid the pitfalls common to legal translation.
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