A sworn translator is responsible for faithfully and accurately translating legal documents. With official authorisation from relevant parties, a sworn translator is a trusted ally in the certification of a variety of translated material. Having a sworn translator to assist you is imperative when supplying documents to an official body – essentially, a professional, experienced, and accredited sworn translator is necessary for the verification and protection of your documents.
International Language Consultancy (ILC) offers professional language services and sworn translations to legitimise your documents. In this article, we will discuss who we are, our sworn translation services, and a few different ways that sworn translation has proven to be vastly beneficial in the legalisation of documents.
About International Language Consultancy
International Language Consultancy is an international specialised language service provider. We have been in the industry for over a decade, providing services in widely spoken languages, as well as all South African language combinations. We make use of highly qualified transcribers, editors, and translators in our agency. All language managers are tertiary-qualified experts with years’ worth of experience, and our skilled team can handle projects of any size with timely and accurate results.
Our experience in multiple languages also sets us above our competitors as we have a thorough independent quality check performed by multiple project managers. We also work with strict confidentiality policies and all projects are signed under non-disclosure agreements, so you can trust International Language Consultancy with the outsourcing of your language and branding requirements.
Our Services Include:
- Writing
- Translation
- Transcription
- Localisation
- Editing and Proofreading
- Typesetting, Layout and Formatting
- Graphic Design
For a full breakdown of what each service includes, visit our service guide.
Defining A Sworn Translator
The role of a sworn translator differs slightly from the responsibilities of a regular legal translator. Legal Translators, on the one hand, should have an in-depth understanding of both legal regulations and diction. Legal documents require translations that are relevant to the nuances of a country’s specific legal system, and legal translators ensure the correct terminology and localisation are used to account for differences in language. A Sworn Translator is a legal translator who has undergone an accreditation test. The sworn translator receives a certification from the High Court and can then legally perform sworn translations.
For legalisation purposes, sworn translations need to be recognised by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and an original or certified copy of the source document needs to be submitted by the sworn translator. A sworn translator can authenticate a document with a signature and seal that guarantees the authenticity of the translation. This means the translated document is held in the same esteem as the original document.
The Principles That Set Sworn Translation Apart
Sworn translation follows two fundamental principles, namely Accuracy and Authenticity. Since the translated document is signed and sealed with the name of the sworn translator, it is their responsibility to account for the accuracy of the document before providing authentication. This authentication requires a stamp that references the document being a “true translation of the original”, and a signature and date need to accompany every page. These principles allow documents to be fully understood and interpreted. It leaves no room for discrepancies and helps protect yourself and the translation of your document for legal reasons.
Here are just a few forms of legal documentation that would require a sworn translator:
- Passports
- Bank statements
- Tax returns
- Medical Reports
- Scientific papers
- Divorce decree
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Diplomas
- Affidavits
- Permits
- Residence certificates
- Driver’s licence
- Wills
- Patents
- Forensic Reports
- Court Rulings
International Language Consultancy: Our Translation Services
Our translation services are accredited by the South African Translators Institute (SATI). SATI is a professional association established in 1956. It is the largest association of translators, including professional, academic, and legal translators – in addition to sworn translators.
Our services include the translation of:
- Technical documents
- Educational books and terminology
- Reports
- Literature
- Proposals
- Internal company documentation
- Advertising and marketing material
- Legal documentation
- Financial material
We guarantee accurate translations – no matter the industry or area of expertise, International Language Consultancy accounts for the technical and specialised terms in all subject matters. All of our translators are equipped and trained to provide efficient and accurate results. We assign our translators to projects according to their area of expertise and, this way, the specifics of an industry can be adapted with proficiency. Our translation services are also timeous – with our dedicated team and designated schedule, quality work with fast turnaround times are guaranteed.
ILC also specialises in localisation. Localisation accounts for the unique terms and phrases in languages that might not come across as intended when translated directly. Therefore, we align the translated content to account for local culture, dialect, and copy. This ensures that your documents are professional and fulfil their intended purpose.
Additionally, we have a thorough quality control process. Our translators not only translate and localise documents, they proofread and edit copy with the highest level of care. All projects go through independent quality checks to ensure only the best-polished version is being sent. We also ensure this with the use of premium technology that can pick up on any human errors before providing you with the final product.
For a full list of what languages we translate, view our language guide.
International Language Consultancy: Accredited Sworn Translation Services
Our sworn translators have taken the oath to “translate faithfully and correctly, to the best of their knowledge and ability” and are sworn in by the High Court of South Africa. All candidates have illustrated their skills and undergo strict evaluations. We strive to provide adaptations that are commutative and direct so that the receiver of the translated document can understand the function of the source document in the relevant language. International Language Consultancy is the ideal choice for your sworn translations as we provide sworn translation services in all 11 South African languages, and ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance with legal requirements.
Sworn Translation And Its Influence Internationally
Now that you have an overview of sworn translation services, how they work, and why they are necessary for certain translations of documents, let’s have a look at some real-world examples where a sworn translator would be needed. From the legal sphere to administrative and academic sectors, sworn translation services are critical for the accurate and faithful translation of a variety of documents.
The Court Of Law
One of the most prominent roles of a sworn translator is the legalisation of translated documents. This becomes incredibly apparent in ongoing court cases. A sworn translator holds value to the accurate and effective communication between parties in a court of law. Without a sworn translator, a court in which international parties communicate could be lost or unauthenticated. When there is a wide variety of countries present and high stakes, a sworn translator must be properly accredited and accurate. A sworn translator is inherently a valuable asset in the a court of law.
International Business
When it comes to international business dealings, sworn translators often look for accuracy in documents like contracts. A sworn translation service provides an accurate mirror of a document in both languages that can help smooth business deals. This protects businesses from signing harmful contracts and provides evidence in the case of lawsuits. Having the accreditation from a sworn translator who is well equipped to pick up on nuances, or provide them, secures a safer and accurate deal. Additionally, it helps grow the South African economy. Having more international deals and business investments encourages economic growth. With sworn translation, this growth only increases, especially with localisation in translation services.
Immigration and Migration
Migration has been growing exponentially in South Africa. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is the dominant source of migration to South Africa, followed by the United Kingdom and Europe. The SADC makes up 84% of the total immigrant population. When migrating to South Africa, documents of personal identity, certificates, and affidavits – among many other documents – need to be translated. The same is true for immigration to another country from South Africa.
An estimated 14% of South Africa’s working population is considering emigrating, and roughly 625,560 workers immigrated in 2022. Some countries might require sworn translations of vital documents into the local language in order for an individual to immigrate. Sworn translation ensures a smooth transition from one country to another and the accreditation and accuracy of source documents. Essentially, by investing in a sworn translation service, you are complying with a country’s legal requirements, and having experienced and professional sworn translators makes an exponential difference in a smooth transition.
Academic Pursuits
A sworn translator is essential in the translation and publication of academic papers into other languages. Without sworn translation, the accessibility and success of both an individual and an institution is hindered. Sworn translators are responsible for scientific papers, academic papers, and research studies to be authenticated. This ensures they are valid and respected by the international community. With international recognition, there comes more funding, more students, and more lecturers. Additionally, having an international language’s academic text being translated and validated by a sworn translator means institutions in South Africa can also validate the research being shared. It creates a circular growth of knowledge and accessibility to knowledge on a global scale.
Invest In The Best Sworn Translation Services
All official bodies recognise International Language Consultancy’s sworn translation services. So, not only do we deliver on producing accurate translations with fast turnaround times, our sworn translators are legally certified. We offer internationally competitive rates with highly qualified and accredited translators. If you need to get a sworn translation of documents for legalisation purposes, don’t hesitate to get in touch with International Language Consultancy today!