How Does Legal Translation Differ from General Translation?

Written By Akshaya Ashok, Reviewed By Nouphal P C

Published on 22/04/2025

In the UAE, a multicultural and multilingual hub, translation services are essential for bridging language barriers in both personal and professional contexts. However, not all translations are the same. Legal translation and general translation serve distinct purposes and require different levels of expertise.

Understanding the differences between these two types of translation is crucial, especially when dealing with legal documents that demand precision and compliance with UAE laws. This blog explores the key differences, importance, and applications of legal and general translation in the UAE.

What is Legal Translation?

Legal translation refers to the translation of documents with legal implications, such as contracts, court documents, and patents. Legal translation requires a high level of accuracy, expertise, and compliance with legal terminology and formatting. Certified legal translators must perform legal translation to ensure validity.

Key Characteristics:

• Accuracy: Legal translations must be precise, as even minor errors can lead to significant legal consequences.
• Expertise: Requires knowledge of legal terminology and UAE laws.
• Compliance: Must adhere to legal standards and regulations.
• Certification: Often requires certification by a sworn or authorized translator for official use.
  
  

Examples of Legal Documents:

• Contracts and agreements
• Court judgments and pleadings
• Power of attorney documents
• Corporate bylaws and memorandums

For getting detailed information on Legal Translation Services, check this page: 

UAE Legal Translation Services | Accurate & Compliant

What is General Translation?

General translation, on the other hand, involves translating a broader range of texts, including marketing materials, websites, literature, and more. General translation focuses on conveying the meaning and tone of the original text, with less emphasis on legal terminology and formatting.

Key Characteristics:

• Focus on Meaning: Emphasizes conveying the overall meaning rather than word-for-word accuracy.
• Less Emphasis on Legal Terminology: Does not require specialized legal knowledge.
• Flexibility in Style/Tone: Allows for creative adaptation to suit the target audience.
  
  

Examples of General Documents:

• Marketing brochures and advertisements
• Website content
• Books and articles
• Personal correspondence

Why is Choosing the Correct Translation Important?

Using a general translation for legal documents can have serious consequences, including:

• Invalidity of documents in legal proceedings.
• Misinterpretation of terms, leading to disputes.
• Non-compliance with UAE laws results in penalties.

On the other hand, a qualified legal translator ensures:

• Accuracy: Precise translation of legal terms and clauses.
• Compliance: Adherence to UAE legal standards.
• Validity: Certification for official use.

Conclusion

Legal translation and general translation serve different purposes and require distinct skill sets. While general translation is suitable for everyday content, legal translation demands expertise, precision, and compliance with UAE laws.

When dealing with legal documents, it’s essential to seek professional legal translation to ensure accuracy and validity. For reliable and certified legal translation services in the UAE, trust experts like Reyson Badger to handle your documents with care and professionalism.

Written By

Akshaya Ashok

Akshaya Ashok is a content writer specializing in creating content focused on accounting and auditing. With over two years of experience, she has developed expertise in crafting professional content for the financial sector.