Undoubtedly, the last thing you would want to happen while standing on the shores of Abu Dhabi, watching your business blossom, or drafting documents for a legal matter is one small mistranslation to bring it all crashing down. Too dramatic? Perhaps. But in the context of legal translation in the UAE, one word could mean the difference between a signed contract and a visa denial, winning a court battle or an unending dispute, or worse—consequences that are legal in nature.
This is especially the case for German speakers living and working in the United Arab Emirates. Regardless if you are a businessperson aiming to widen your business horizons, a lawyer helping clients in the region with out-of-border services, or merely trying to get your marriage certificate legalized by local officials—German to English translation in Dubai or Abu Dhabi is required to be precise, professionally appropriate, and greatly considerate of legal matters.
What is the approach to barely escaping the legal ride of a lifetime? Let us look into the most frequent mistakes done in translating German documents, especially legal ones, and how to smartly get around them.
Error One: Using Google Translate or Other Services of the Same Type
We all have at one point interacted with Google Translate, how nice is it to see itch a tool? Because when trying to interact with the Berlin airBNB program, you host text to you, it can do the magic. However, when it comes to legal documents, not at all!
German is a language that appreciates precision. But don’t forget, there is such a thing as legal German and it is much worse. Any statement within a contract could span multiple lines and have multiple nested clauses, a contract can be simplified in a nested set phrase language. A phrase “non-compete clause” in English translates in German as “no-compulsion agreement”, this is assuming the phrase is translated accurately.
Throughout Emirates, this kind of misinterpretation can lead to the termination of documents such as;
- Ministry of Justice
- Immersion of Notary Public
- Immigration authorities
- Bills licensing windows of free zones
- Local courts
Recently, there has also been an appeal on the need for drawing a line against ignoring boundaries due to licensing. Ensure that legal translation companies in the Emirates are professional, experienced and familiar with the German legal vocabulary as well as the German legal terrain too.
Error Two: Lack of Focus on the Legal and Social Contexts
It’s probable that many people do not appreciate that as a concept, translation goes beyond mere words. Germany employs civil law, while the legal framework of United Arab Emirates is rooted in Islamic law. This implies that some German legal concepts cannot be UAE legal concepts and in reverse some UAE legal concepts cannot translate into German legal concepts.
To put this into perspective, take the German term ‘Eigentumsvorbehalt’ meaning the preservation of title. Because the term does not have a legal counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, this blanket term may require explanation instead of direct translation as it appears in German commercial contracts.
A skilled German document translator does not simply provide a word-for-word translation; they adapt concepts to ensure compliance with UAE laws. And that is what distinguishes a legal translator from a “translator.”
Error Three: Not Using Reputable Translators
People spend a lot of money in the United Arab Emirates, but verifying every document claimed to be translated is another matter altogether. Each day, hundreds of people undergo the painful process of having their documents accepted for verification, only to be flagged for translation issues.
Verbatim translations from English to German in Abu Dhabi or any other Emirates include all legal documents from power of attorneys to birth certificates. Hence, my translation needs to be verified, Just like every German-English translation done in Dubai, every legal document undergoes a similar process.
Forget about these instructions and you will get halted along the way.
Error Four: Spelling and Terminology Issues
Legal translation requires an expert due to its intricate specialization. Each component requires keen attention for accuracy. Take punctuation for disengaging statements, it is a game changer. Needing just one less or one more inaccurate term for a phrase to a sentence could lead to totally rendering the clause void. Speaking of all that, what is it with the arrangement? It is a factor.
Legal entities have to deal with fully comprehensive documents which are formatted syllabically by section headers, footnotes with the right positioning, title numbers etched with the intended order and the documents themselves are not safeguarded from such precision.
In the realm of corporate law pertaining to the UAE, translating “Gesellschaftervertrag” to “partnership agreement” might be acceptable in a legal sense, but it could mislead others into thinking it is an LLC or a joint venture. It all boils down to accuracy.
An accurate translator knows how “the document works in both jurisdictions” apart from language accurateness.
Error Five: The Last-Minute Requests For Translations
Legal translations and pressing deadlines do not pair well together. We understand deadlines need to be met as in the case of preparing for court, forming a company, or even a visa application. However, translating documents from German to English ‘quickly’ is courting disaster.
Translators require time to carry out research, verify the spelling of words, check relevant legislation, and in some cases, talk to legal practitioners. When there is a 24-hour deadline, corners are cut and quality drops.
If you plan to present German documents in an Abu Dhabi court, you’d do well to initiate the process early. It can save you weeks of resubmission later on.
Error Six: Believing That all Translation Services Are The Same
Imagery thinking scenario: From Dubai, two companies offer translation services from German to English. One comes at a much cheaper price. The more expensive option comes with a MoJ certification, legal experts in German bearing endorsements from law offices and embassies, and private clients. Cheap solutions are highly popular due to the popular saying “a translation is a translation.” This is the mistake you need to steer clear from.
Broad translation differs with legal translation. The level of risk and complexity has increased significantly. Among the top services are:
- Native proficiency in German and English
- Work or educational background in law or has worked with legal professionals
- Has knowledge of German and UAE laws
- Certification and Acknowledgement by authorities in the UAE
- Consistency of documents throughout the translation process due to the utilization of translation memory tools
When in doubt, always and without question demand a specimen, verify the credentials, and for a legal document, always inquire the supposed professional’s dates and number of legal document translation done.
