The stakes are remarkably high when exploring the complexities of translating from German to Arabic or vice versa. high. Whether you are dealing with a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) incorporation or a personal Mietvertrag (lease agreement), a single linguistic slip can lead to legal rejection or financial loss.
Many individuals and even businesses fall trap of common and predictable traps. In this blog, we are here to help you avoid common mistakes while translating official German documents to be used in Dubai.
1. Using “Generic” Rather Than “Sworn” Translators
There is a clear difference between a standard translator and a Sworn Legal Translator that is endorsed by the Ministry of Justice.
- The Mistake: Hiring an unlicensed translator – freelance or general agency in Germany.
- Consequence: Getting a licensed translator is very important; if you fail to get one, the government bodies like the Dubai Economic Department or the courts of Dubai will reject the documents. The documents should bear the stamp of a translator licensed within the UAE. A certified translation from Germany is often not enough without the local Ministry of Justice validation.
2. Literal Translation of “False Friends” and Legal Concepts
According to the Civil law and Shari’ah principles, the legal systems of the UAE and Germany do not always have direct equivalents.
- The Mistake: Word-to-word translation, like the German term “Eigentumsvorbehalt” (retention of title) or “Prokura” (a specific type of commercial power of attorney), cannot be translated literally.
- Consequence: the word-to-word translation can create ‘legal vacuums,’ and the contract clause becomes unenforceable because the terms do not exist in the laws of the UAE. To ensure the intent is legally sound in Dubai, the professional translators should use functional equivalence.
3. Ignoring the Sequence: Translation Before Attestation
One of the very common administrative mistakes is to translate the document before it has been legalized fully in the country of origin.
- The Mistake: getting a birth certificate or board resolution translated before receiving the necessary stamps from the BVA and the UAE Embassy in Germany,
- Consequence: Including a translated version of every previous attestation stamp is required to get the final MOFA stamp in Dubai. If the translation is done early, you will need to do it all over again and even pay for the translation once the final German stamps are attached.
4. Transliteration Errors in Names and Dates
Dubai’s corporate authorities and immigration expect nothing less than precision, as it is the benchmark of German culture.
- The Mistake: While converting the German names into Arabic script, inconsistent spelling mistakes occur. If a name like “Müller” is transliterated differently across various documents, it can trigger security flags.
- Consequence: Visa processing can hold for weeks if there are any discrepancies between your passport and the translated documents, like birth certificates, marriage contracts, education documents, etc. Hence, you must provide your translator with a copy of your passport at all costs so there are no chances of spelling mistakes.
5. Underestimating “The Last-Minute” Trap
German legal documents often feature nested, long sentences like Schachtelsätze, making the documents notoriously dense. Hence, they require deconstruction with a keen eye.
- The Mistake: Requesting a “rush” job on a 30-page complex contract.
- Consequence: missing out the nuances is expected when the translators are rushed. Mistakes, for instance, can occur in Haftung (liability) or Gewährleistung (warranty) clauses. A rushed translation has high chances of being rejected, considering Dubai’s fast-paced market.
6. Relying on AI for Legal and Official Texts
As the AI tools are becoming known and normal, it becomes tempting and looks cost-efficient. However, AI too often struggles with the UAE’s jurisdictional context.
- The Mistake: AI might translate a German term into a “generic” English version that does not comply with the specific terminology used by the Dubai Land Department or the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
- Professional Edge: Human legal translators understand the “local flavor” of Dubai’s laws. They ensure that a contract doesn’t just sound right; it behaves correctly within the local judicial system.
Conclusion
To avoid these mistakes and their severe consequences, it is essential to hire a professional, an expert who understands the bureaucratic requirements of both Dubai and Germany – it’s more than just being bilingual. Ensure that your translator is MOJ licensed, your attestation steps are synced, and prioritize the conceptual accuracy over the literal word-to-word, and you will navigate the legal landscape of the UAE with confidence. Ensuring your documents are handled correctly from the start is the best way to ensure your business and personal milestones are met without delay.
