In Addition to Dictionaries and Glossaries

There are two common fallacies for beginning translators and laypersons: One is that each source language term has an exact equivalent in the target language, it and the other is that bilingual dictionaries have the last word (No pun intended.) in translation. The harsh truth is that neither belief holds water in the day-to-day chore of legal translation.

Before leaving you with a link to an excellent article on researching legal documents, I will say this: Spanish and English, not to mention Latin American (or Spanish) legal systems and US (or British) legal systems, are two different entities with a life of their own.
Therefore, we cannot treat the process of translation as it we were putting together pieces of the same linguistic jigsaw puzzle. In fact, many times we are faced with devising an new text in the target language that reflects the original meaning. In order to do so, translator Madeline Newman Ríos stresses the need to research the original legal provisions mentioned in the source text. By understanding a particular article or provision, it is easier to understand the way a judge or other lawmaker worded a particular sentence as opposed to plugging in a definition from a bilingual dictionary without any context.

You can read the entire PDF document, Researching Legal Translations: The Whys and Hows here.

Book Review: Fidus Interpres

Fidus Interpres

by Fabio Said


I just finished reading this monumental work on Fabio Said's life as a professional freelance translator and his view and description of the translation universe (industry does not fit the vast scope of this e-book). Even though it is written in Brazilian Portuguese, with the aid of a dictionary (WordReference), I was able to readily understand a fair amount of it. Therefore, if you love languages as much as I do, and you are willing to look up the occasional Portuguese word, you will have much to learn from this book, and you will enjoy the experience as well.

Said is a superb communicator, as he is able to get his ideas across in a way that makes me, the reader, believe that he is standing right in front of me. I envision him in a classroom setting; wearing a tie and engaging me in an informative and thought-inspiring lecture. From the outset, he makes it clear that being a translator is not something that anyone can do. He does point out that anyone can pay his or her dues at an online site such as ProZ, but that does not necessarily mean that he or she is fit for the job. He lets the reader know that besides the pitfalls in the act of translating itself, there are several obstacles that are on the road to success in the business world when dealing with translation agencies.

Here are some of the many topics covered in Fidus Interpres:

· Translation techniques
· Glossaries and terminology management
· How to use social media and translator sites
· How to collect from late payers
· How to set up your own website
· Marketing techniques
· Difference between translators and interpreters
· Different types of translators and specialization
· Organizing your work schedule including taking vacations

If you are starting out as a freelance translator, you will save yourself some headaches if you follow Said's advice. Although the business environment emphasizing this book focuses mainly on Brazil, if you live in another Latin American country or do business with Latin America, you will most likely recognize practices that are similar to your own. If you have been in the business for several years as I have, you will run across techniques and practices that you already have in place. Nevertheless, it is reassuring to know that another professional translator thinks it wise to do some of the same things that you yourself are doing, and serves as reinforcement. Even so, I gleaned more than a few new ideas from this book. I won't go into detail because I want you to read it yourself, but I will say that I was particularly intrigued by what Said had to say about direct marketing.

To sum up, there is something in this book for everyone. No one can read it from cover to cover and put it down without being influenced positively. Therefore, even if you come away with a handful of tips from this book, it will have been worth the purchase. I know I will be turning to it for years to come.

Click here to order Fidus Interpres either as an e-book or paperback.