What is a legal translation?

A legal translation, unlike certified (or sworn) translation, does not require an official validation. However, it must be carried out by qualified translators, who must also be lawyers, or at least have a similar degree. Legal translation helps legal departments requiring the translation of documents such as contracts, agreements, documents related to regulation(s), judgments, etc.

 

What training should I take to become a legal translator-interpreter?

There is no specific degree for legal translation to become a legal translator. However, you can study to become a legal translator-interpreter with a bachelor degree (3 year)!

 

Here are some examples of degrees with which you can continue your studies in legal translation (non-exhaustive list):

  • Foreign Languages, Literature and Civilizations Bachelor’s Degree
  • Applied Foreign Languages Bachelor’s Degree
  • Arts Master's Degree
  • Applied Foreign Languages Master's Degree
  • Linguistic Science Master's Degree

To become a legal translator or interpreter, you'll require a specialization during or after your studies.It is common for a translator or a legal professional to deepen his or her knowledge after a first degree, or to turn his/her professional career towards a specialization in the world of law.

 

What you need to know about legal translation

Legal translation requires a level of specialization in both language and lawIt means that you must master your mother tongue (source language) and your target language, i.e. the language into which you are translating. You must be an expert in the legal field of both countries (source + target) and to match the subtleties of each system in order to perform legal translations. Your knowledge of the legal system of a single system is therefore not enough.A legal translator must have good writing skills (grammar, spelling, general knowledge...), be curious, meticulous, and respectful of ethical rules.

 

A growing need for legal translators and interpreters

Legal translation is an industry where demand is far greater than supply. Although the selection process is rigorous, translators who meet the above criteria are able to make a living from their work without too much difficulty. This is partly due to the fact that there is a shortage of legal translators and interpreters in specific fields. There is also a shortage of dual skills (or dual specializations), which allow a single contact person for two areas of expertise.

Example: financial expert translator + litigation expert

This problem does not only concern the countries, but also the European institutions which have difficulty finding specialized translators.

 

Which university should I choose to become a translator-interpreter?

It all depends on the direction you want to take as a translator-interpreter. Depending on your specialization, you can turn to specialized institutions such as ESIT (Graduate School for Translation and Interpretation), ISIT (Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication), INALCO (National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations), ITIRI (Institute of Translation, Interpretation and International Relations) or EDVENN.

 

Let's take a look atISIT-Paris and its legal translator-interpreter training course.

After obtaining your diploma (3 year program in a compatible branch), ISIT provides a 9-month certification course to:
- develop and deepen your legal knowledge;
- understand the role of the different actors in your work environment;
- better interact with these actors in compliance with the code of ethics.

 

Classes are held on Friday evenings and approximately every other Saturday, so that this training course can complement a professional career..

 

To find out more about ISIT's Legal Translator-Interpreter certificate, you can meet the head of continuing education during a virtual workshop on Teams sur Teams, le 21 Octobre 2021, de 17h à 18h : Register for ISIT's virtual workshop

 

Find out more about ISIT's legal translator-interpreter certificate