Last updated on June 27th, 2023 at 03:43 pm

The global marketplace keeps getting smaller. More businesses and individuals realize they need to invest in legal translations.

Unfortunately, there is too much to lose when it comes to leaving legal documents to chance. Getting “lost in translation” with legal documents could result in heavy penalties, loss of property, and considerable legal confusion.

Even with changing politics and legal reforms there is little doubt that many businesses require clarity. They need the best when constructing legal documentation with foreign speaking entities.

Your business and personal needs are no different. There are many documents that need to be translated professionally.

We will show you which documents require an expert touch. And why the stakes are so high.

Continue reading to learn more about the ins and outs of legal translations.

The Barriers of Language and Culture

Of course, businesses and individuals know they need to translate information. They need to use other languages to conduct business around the globe.

But translation is more than changing “hello” to “hola” or vice versa.

You need translators who understand the language and the culture for a successful translation.

Here are a few examples of the incredible confusion improper translation services can bring:

• “Bensi” was the name Mercedes-Benz used for their debut in the Chinese market. In Chinese, the word means “rush to die.”
• “Pepsi Brings You Back to Life” was translated in China to disastrous results. It read “Pepsi Brings You Back from the Grave.”
• The American Dairy Association “Got Milk?” campaign was replicated in Spanish-speaking countries. It was translated into “Are You Lactating?”

What about Schweppes? In a marketing campaign for their Tonic Water, the name was translated poorly.

It became “Schweppes Toilet Water.”

The Stakes Are Higher When It Comes To Legal Translations

Bad translations for global brands in their marketing campaigns are almost laughable. That said, these companies forfeited considerable investments in failures.

They had to spend money to rebuild their brands and recoup their losses.

The stakes are even higher when it comes to legal documents. One wrong word or legal miscue could leave your company battling in litigation.

Even worse, you could lose assets, control, or money due to mistranslation.

Just imagine if your legal document promised to bring a client “back from the grave” by mistake. The legal implications in patent law, contracts, and government filings would be anything but funny.

When it comes to the law you can’t gamble on culture and usage. There are some documents you need the best attention in translating.

Some of these are:

1. Contracts

You will want to have any contract documents translated professionally. Do this before you enter any negotiation. For non-native speakers, legal jargon can become incredibly confusing.

Many businesses and individuals don’t realize how much contract law they engage in. When dealing with international business there are many agreements.

It’s one thing to broker a large deal between companies who are about to enter a business agreement.

But are you also paying close attention to offering goods and services on eCommerce sites? What about the foreign property you own that you use popular web apps to rent?

There are a variety of legal contract types. Make sure you and your business enterprises are on the same page before negotiating or agreeing to any terms.

Using legal translations for contracts will allow you to be clear about your needs and legal expectations.

2. Financial Documents

Most of us realize that financial documents aren’t just numbers. They come with explanations of calculations and a variety of information that depends on the needs of the recipient.

Many businesses and individuals are turning to offshore banking and wealth management. They receive a variety of tax benefits and business opportunities.

You might need financial documentation for financial planning, business expansion, or other personal and commercial reasons.

But you can’t let these filings be confused. Just as costly as a missed decimal in accounting is a mistranslation into a different language.

Legal translations are as important for financial documents as they are with contracts.

3. Patent and Trademark Law

As firms expand their operations overseas there is an increasing need for new patents and trademarks. Patents and trademarks are governed by country or territory.

As small business owners use eCommerce to increase revenues they are at larger risk. They could lose their branding and marketing investments. But when it comes to registering a trademark or a patent on foreign soil you need to be clear about your information and filings.

Unfortunately, you could pay for the research, filing, and registration costs and still be unprotected. Your patent or trademark may miss the point entirely.

You need to translate the information to protect you and your assets.

Don’t leave your marketing and trademark efforts to the same risks global brands like Pepsi and Mercedes-Benz suffered. You want thorough understanding and protection.

And skimping on translation services can be costly. If the global brands can suffer the fate of mistranslation your personal documents and business documents could as well.

Get The Best Support

Legal translations help you avoid confusion. You need the best support to protect your business and personal interests when dealing in a foreign language.

It’s important to use native speakers and use professional translation services. You need this for every aspect of business and personal law.

Beyond contracts, patent documents, corporate documents, and financial information there are other concerns.

Your contracts might require technical specifications, eCommerce attachments, and government documents. There are too many risks with not taking care of your legal needs the right way.

Don’t wait. JR Language can help.