21/04/2025 What Skills Does a Legal Translator Need ?
A legal translator must do more than just translate words—they must accurately convey the meaning of legal documents in another language using the correct legal terminology.
To achieve this, the translator must fully understand the source text and have an in-depth knowledge of the legal vocabulary in the target language.
This is especially challenging when legal terms and concepts have no direct equivalent in the other legal system.
Legal language is deeply rooted in the legal framework it comes from.
Even countries that follow similar legal traditions—like France and Germany, which both draw from the Romano-Germanic system—often have distinct legal concepts, procedures, and terms that don’t easily translate across borders.
The challenge becomes even greater when translating between completely different systems, such as civil law and common law, as found in England, Canada, or the United States.
Because of these differences, legal translators frequently need to conduct terminology research or even delve into comparative law to identify the most accurate translation.
When no equivalent term exists, and a direct translation might confuse or distort the meaning, they may need to include a translator’s note to clarify or explain the concept.
This level of precision means that only translators who are trained in the legal systems of both countries can create translations that are not just linguistically accurate but also make legal sense in the target context.
In short, legal translation requires more than just language fluency—it demands deep legal knowledge, excellent writing and interpretation skills, and a strong grasp of how each legal system works.
This is the only way to avoid the risks and misunderstandings that can arise in legal contexts, where accuracy is critical!
