Legal Translation vs. Regular Translation: What’s the Difference?

Legal Translation vs. Regular Translation: What’s the Difference?

When you need a document translated, you might wonder if you really need a specialized "legal translation" or if a general translation will suffice. The difference is not just about price; it's about purpose, liability, and specialized knowledge.

1. Terminology and Precision

Regular Translation: Focuses on conveying the general meaning. A slightly loose translation of a marketing brochure might be acceptable or even preferred for creativity.
Legal Translation: Requires absolute precision. "May" vs. "Shall" in a contract implies a massive difference in obligation. Legal translators understand these nuances and use the exact legal terminology required by the target jurisdiction.

2. Legal Consequences

A mistake in a hotel menu translation is embarrassing. A mistake in a contract translation can lead to lawsuits, financial loss, or voided agreements. Legal translators assume a higher level of liability.

3. Formatting and Structure

Legal documents often follow strict formatting rules (e.g., side-by-side bilingual columns for UAE courts). Legal translators strictly adhere to the source document's structure to facilitate comparison.

4. Certification

Regular translations are rarely certified. Legal translations in the UAE must often be stamped by an MOJ-certified translator to be valid for official use.