It is important to have contracts when dealing and closing business with a client; in the legal field there is no better backup than a contract signed by both parties.
Nevertheless, what happens when you are dealing with international clients who do not speak your language? In this article we will explain the usefulness of having translated contracts.
What is a contract
A dictionary definition of a contract would be a legal agreement, usually in writing, between two or more parties, where two or more parties mutually commit to carry out certain responsibilities. Essentially, it is a legal agreement in which rights and obligations are entered into between the signatory parties. A contract is the framework within which a professional relationship can function, and the safeguard of a business when something goes wrong.
Furthermore, most – if not all – legal frameworks around the world have a similar definition of a contract, so regardless of where your client or business partner is located, all will agree on the need to have a binding contract when conducting business.
Why do business translate contracts
While the most common way to deal with your business clientele is to do it in your own language, assuming and limiting your client base, and therefore your business potential, to your native language is counterproductive.
In the interconnected and globalized world in which we find ourselves, it is completely normal to deal with international clients. In this case, having a legal framework that suits both your needs and those of your client, in the native languages of each party, is a must.
What is the benefit in translating your contracts
Translating any multilingual contracts, you have with your clients is a must for a few reasons. First, as previously stated, by offering legal support in several languages, you can increase your client base by internationalizing your company. Moreover, if you are on the other side of the contract, and it is an international client that offers you an agreement, translating it allows you to fully assess its content, which allows you to evaluate it in its entirety, prior to signing or closing a deal.
In addition, if you keep your company’s files and documents in one language, this makes it easier to organize and back them up.
Aside from the internal benefits, many national legal entities such as banks, ministries, organizations, and others (regardless of the country you are in) only accept legal documents in the official language of that nation. So, if you need to carry out official procedures with the client’s contract, it will not be valid to have it in a language other than the one in legal use in that country. This is twice as important if your country has an official language and another one that is commonly used.
What are the challenges in translating contracts
The translation of legal documents, although it may seem identical to ordinary document translation, is considerably more complex. When translating a contract, the translator must be knowledgeable of the legal and juridical terms of the countries of the parties involved. In addition, many legal phrases have multiple translations, or have a completely different meaning than their commonly used form. Therefore, knowing the intention of the parties to the contract is a must when translating a contract.
Additionally, grammatical rules are more rigid, and the use of common phrases or slang is not allowed, for logical reasons, something that a translator who has no experience in legal documents may not be aware of and may fall into the use of “false friends” or translations that are not always incorrect, but whose use is not contemplated in a legal framework.
The problem that this brings is not only a poorly translated document, but the use of erroneous phrases can lead to significant legal problems, either with your company or with your client’s company.
What should i keep in mind when selecting an agency to translate contract
The first thing to do, without a doubt, is to choose an agency that is truly qualified to translate legal documents. An agency offering contract translation services, i.e., a legal translator, is accredited and recognized by an official entity or body. In the case of Spain, all legal translators are accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Moreover, an agency offering contract translation services will always offer its translation with a certification stamp and signature, making it easy to verify the contents of the contract.
Furthermore, a legal translation agency needs to be able to count on the necessary resources to carry out any official, updated and accurate terminology consultation.
In short, being able to translate your contracts brings many advantages for your company, both legally and in terms of your own business. If you need to translate your contracts, it is always best to look for a specialist like the ones you get at Orion Translations, so that you can be confident that your documents have a truthful and accurate translation that is appropriate to the legal framework of both you and that of your clients.