Digitize it!

Most legal documents are still on paper. Even if they are on your computer screen, technically, they are still paper documents because you cannot edit the text. Sure, you can try to use OCR software such as ABBYY FineReader, but many times this is impossible or too time consuming as legal documents invariably have stamps, seals, handwriting and let us not forget, smudges from photocopying and then scanning the original document.

I confess that I love to scan documents and photos. I like the fact that they are all in one place, do not deteriorate over time and can be sent via e-mail or uploaded to a web site instantly. If you have a scanner, you may like to try scanning whatever legal documents you have lying around. Some examples are deeds and forms. You will also find disclaimers and other legal notices on many different types of documents.

Of course you could simply copy the text by typing it or dictating it with Dragon NaturallySpeaking, but I find that the images and colors and spacing of the text in context help me remember the words better.

Language 123

Just a short entry to alert you to Language 123. If you have more than enough work, perhaps you do not need this service. However, if you have time and patience to build up a base of clients, you might want to look into this site.

If you are a paying member, you get to bid on jobs offered by clients (no agencies that I know). You also get your own web page, resume post and blog. All in all, I have had a good experience. I have already paid for the initial subscription, unlike my experience with Translatorsbase (which I do not recommend).

New article on translators and style

All translators, legal translators included, have a style that they must follow and one that they can choose. Read this article I published to find out more.

Will Obama create more translations?

I'm sure that this year's presidential election has left no one indifferent. Many people have discussed different issues involving Barack Obama, but I have a specific conjecture of my own: Will Barack Obama create or cause more Spanish<>English translations when he takes office? I saw him speaking Spanish in a campaign ad. Does this mean that he will encourage Hispanics to speak more Spanish and consequently create a need for more translations?

What about immigration? Will Obama be more lenient about immigration from Mexico and points South to the United States? What about public funding for legal translations? With the financial crisis, will there be cutbacks on funding for translating divorce decrees into English, or will the Obama Administration increase the budget for this type of translation work?