What are the main principles of translation?
Translations should use the full resources and vocabulary of the target language. In literary translation, some source language terms may be deliberately left in the original in order to provide the feeling of a foreign setting. However, such practice is not acceptable in the case of legal and technical translations. In many cases, there may not be an equivalent word or phrase in the target language for the given word or phrase in the source language. In such cases, the translator must translate the concept rather than the word or phrase.
It is our opinion that leaving the source language word in and adding a lengthy translator’s note is unacceptable. Such practice constitutes editorializing, in legal matters, it may be interpreted as emphasizing the proponent’s theory of the case, it may result in a prejudicial accented version of the source text or conversation, and it has a negative impact on the readability of the document or transcript.
Ideas, not words, should be translated.
Translations should neither add any facts or features to the original, nor omit them.
In sum, a translation should not sound like one - it should sound like the original.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translation which has been prepared by a professional translator to which a certificate, signed by the translator before a Notary Public, attesting to the accuracy thereof is affixed. Additionally, it is Master Translating Services’ practice to have all translations proofread and edited by a second professional translator.
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