Legal Translator Job Description
While most people outside the field use the words interchangeably, a translator deals with rewriting a document written in one language into another, while interpreters facilitate oral communication between two parties who do not speak the same language. A legal translator specializes in translating legal documents.
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Function
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Legal translators are responsible for rewriting briefs, settlements, contracts, decisions and other court documents into a second language. These documents are used by attorneys and their clients.
Features
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Some legal translators are non-native English speakers who translate legal documents into their native language. Others are native English speakers who have studied a foreign language.
Requirements
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In order to properly translate legal documents, translators must have a working knowledge of legal terminology in English and their language of specialty. Accuracy is extremely important with legal translation as the language used for legal documents is precise with meanings that sometimes can be changed entirely just by altering a single word.
Education and Certification
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Native English speakers usually receive bachelor's or master's degrees in their specialty language or a general field such as linguistics, and some universities offer course work specifically in legal translation. To work for federal and some state courts, translators in widely used languages like Spanish, Navajo or Haitian Creole must pass a certification test, while in other types of courts or in other areas of specialty, there is no certification required.
Compensation
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In October 2009, the average annual salary for legal translators was $32,000, according to Indeed.com.
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