In legal services, where words carry significant weight, precision and clarity are very important for communication and documentation. As courts and attorneys strive to communicate effectively with non-English speakers, understanding the distinct roles of translation and transcription becomes essential. While these services may seem similar, their differences can significantly influence legal outcomes.
Translation vs. Transcription
What is translation?
Legal translation entails converting legal documents, whether public or private, from one language to another. These documents are usually written by legal professionals and often contain numerous complex legal concepts that general translators may not be familiar with. It’s important to translate these concepts accurately, not just the words, as they carry significant legal implications for those involved.
Skills Required: Proficiency in both the source and target languages, cultural understanding, and knowledge of legal terminology.
Output: A text document in a different language that accurately reflects the content and intent of the original.
Common Use Cases
- Contracts and agreements
- Legal notices and summons
- Patents and intellectual property documents
- Court judgments and orders
- Legal correspondence
What is transcription?
Legal transcription focuses on converting audio or video recordings, often used as evidence in legal proceedings, into written transcripts. This includes recordings like jail phone calls, wiretaps, discussions by people of interest, and other relevant audio or video materials. These transcripts are crucial for court proceedings, especially when the recordings involve criminal activities.
The transcription process generally includes listening to the recorded audio or video and transcribing the spoken words into text. In the US, for something to be included as evidence, it must be in English, so these transcripts are typically translated as well. Followed by editing and proofreading the transcript to ensure accuracy and completeness. Legal transcribers must understand legal terminology and have excellent listening, typing, and proofreading skills to produce high-quality transcripts that are suitable for legal use.
Skills Required: Excellent listening skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in the language spoken in the recording.
Output: A text document that is an exact replica of the spoken words, including any nuances like pauses or emphasis. However, transcriptions must be in English, so the process may also involve translating the spoken content.
Common Use Cases
- Court proceedings and hearings
- Surveillance footage
- Police interviews
- Legal consultations
- Recorded phone calls
- Recorded speeches or discussions
Both translation and transcription are important in legal services to ensure clear communication across languages.
Together, these services support the integrity of the legal process by ensuring that language barriers do not impede justice and that all parties have access to the same information, regardless of their language.
Need translation or transcription services for your legal practice? Contact us! We, at Legal Interpreters, have a vast directory of translators and transcribers who have the training and expertise necessary to handle complex legal matters with precision.
Written by Valentina Rodriguez