[spotlight*]
It is often illuminating to get an opposite perspective on any matter. As I
translate from Hebrew to English, I was curious to know it looked from the
other side. I posed several questions relevant to translation and learning
translation to Adv. Yael Segal, an experienced English to Hebrew legal translator
as well as teacher of translation. In terms of background, she studied law and
psychology in Tel Aviv University, interned in Shibboleth law firm, was
admitted to the Israeli Bar in 2011 and has been translating ever since. She teaches legal translation in Beit Berl
College and Versio Academy. She lives in Herzliya with her partner and 3 boys.
1. What would you consider a proper background to be a legal translator into
Hebrew (aside from a law degree)?
I think that anybody can be a legal
translator. I even teach it (at Beit Berl) for that reason. Legal language
appears daunting but once you learn how to recognize it, it no longer seems
impossible. Some students break through that barrier as early as the second lesson.
However, it should be noted it requires serious investment, especially to those
that do not have any legal background (which is not limited to a law degree and
may be attained in other ways). Ultimately, I learned legal translation as I
learned English: I simply read a tremendous amount. In my opinion, a person
that wants to enter this field and has the analytic ability will succeed.
2. What are some specific
challenges translating English to Hebrew legal material?
First
and foremost - terminology. There are many words in English without an
equivalent in Hebrew or whose equivalent terms is not exactly the same. For
example, think about how many words there are in English to say lien or mortgage.
In Hebrew there are barely two words, שעבוד [sha’avud] and משכון [mishkun]. I
would love to meet an Israeli attorney that could tell the difference between
them. Another related challenge is the difference in the legal systems. An
equivalent concept does not always exist. Furthermore, Hebrew has no capital
letters and thus cannot emphasize terms using them. Sometimes it in necessary
to find creative solutions.
3. What are some mistakes that distinguish a poor legal translator from a
proficient one?
In
general, bad translators produce a text that I cannot understand despite my
significant experience reading legal material. They stick too closely to the
English text, ignoring the actual meaning. Although the material is legal, it
is sometimes necessary to change a word or two to render the material readable.
Many attorneys think that English syntax creates a higher register. For
example, they write In Hebrew that “the document will be signed by the
company.” I do not agree. As I see it, the Hebrew should read: “the company
will sign the document.”
Furthermore,
there are translators that believe that it is possible to find everything in
the dictionary and simply translate the word without understanding the legal
terminology. As a result, we see jewels like “capitalized terms” translated
into Hebrew literally as “conditions involving capital”, תנאים מהוונים [tnaim mehuvanim],
instead of defined terms מונחים מוגדרים [munachim mugdarim] or “prejudice” into the Hebrew
prejudgment דעה קדומה [deya kduma] instead of the Hebrew word for damage, נזק [nezeq].
4. In regards to the issue of agencies vs end clients, which do you prefer and
why?
I have no preference. Agencies pay well,
have your back if there are problems with the customers, treat me nicely and
provide me with interesting material just as do private customers, who pay
well, treat me nice and provide me with interesting material. I will not work
with an agency that is not appropriate for me nor will I work with such a
customer. I have no problem giving an agency a percentage of my charge as an
agency fee if it is worthwhile for me.
5. What advice would you give a customer seeking translation of legal document
into Hebrew?
Ask for a sample,
paid or free. Choose on the base of recommendations, not the lowest price.
Provide translators with as much background as possible. If there is specific
terminology, let them know in advance. Finally, of course, pay on time.
Taking
into her broad background, specifically law practice, translation and teaching,
her answers emphasize that legal translators require thorough understanding of
both law and language. The attainment of these skills requires significant
investment of time. This point is vital importance to prospective and current
translators as well as purchasers of legal translation. I wish to thank Yael (Ygoraly@gmail.com)
for shining light on this specialization and wish her and future English-Hebrew
translators success.
* Always label to picture to allow the blind full access.
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