Blog - Galamaga Translations

Licensed, sworn-in, state-recognised? - a short guide to the German legal translation system

When searching for a translation service provider, you will encounter different professional titles. First, you should bear in mind the distinction between a translator and an interpreter (in German "Übersetzer" and "Dolmetscher" respectively). While translators only deal with written texts, interpreters render spoken contents into another language. The fact that neither the translator's nor the interpreter's profession is legally protected poses quite a problem. Consequently, in practice anyone can register and offer translations services, even if they speak no foreign languages.

What does a translation cost?

Unlike some other regulated freelance professions in Germany, translators and interpreters are not bound by any particular official fee schedule. A fixed scale of charges would be counter-productive as translation projects can vary greatly in terms of topic, scope and language combination. The only exception is the Law on the Remuneration of Interpreters and Translators (JVEG) that provides clarity and equal treatment in the legal field.

Please translate it into English! – but which one?

As the world's foremost language English has some special characteristics. It is spoken as a first, second and foreign language in entirely different countries and contains therefore an enormous vocabulary. English spoken in Wales is distinct to the English spoken in California or Kenya. The differences are not only found in pronunciation but also in the way words are written. Phrases from all walks of life, be it everyday items ("restroom" vs. "cloakroom") or official titles ("minister" vs. "secretary") can vary greatly causing the danger of inaccurate translations.

Standard lines, prices per word, matches - calculation of translation prices

In Germany it is customary to calculate prices for translation work with the help of standardised lines of text, so-called ‘Normzeilen’ consisting of 55 characters each including blanks. The number of characters in a source text (original text) or in a target text (translation) can be used as the basis for price calculation. In case of non-electronic texts usually the target text is used for convenience.

Certified translations of education certificates from abroad: more than just a “stamp”

Professional qualifications acquired abroad are assessed by means of particular procedure, before they can be deemed equivalent to professions protected by German law. As well as an an officially certified copy of the original education certificate, a transcript detailing courses attended and grades received, a table-format CV and additional documents, candidates must submit translations of their educational certificates into German. In each case, translations must be certified by a sworn-in translator chartered to work for German courts and notaries.

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