CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES IN TRANSLATING LEGAL TERMINOLOGY: A MULTILINGUAL ANALYSIS OF SPANISH, ENGLISH, AND ALBANIAN
Keywords:
Legal translation, legal terminology, Spanish, English, Albanian, civil and criminal law, legal equivalence, standardizationAbstract
This paper explores the complexities of translating legal terminology from Spanish and English into Albanian, focusing on civil and criminal legal matters. Legal translation requires not only linguistic proficiency but also a deep understanding of the legal systems involved, as legal texts are highly specialized and culturally embedded. The authors, both experienced university lecturers in translation studies and official translators for the Ministry of Justice in Albania, provide insights into the challenges encountered when translating legal documents such as lease agreements, contracts, court rulings, and other judicial texts.
A key challenge in legal translation is maintaining accuracy and consistency while navigating structural and terminological differences between legal systems. Spanish, English, and Albanian law operate within distinct legal traditions, leading to issues such as the lack of direct equivalents for certain legal concepts, variations in procedural terminology, and differences in the interpretation of legal texts. This paper examines these challenges through practical examples, highlighting cases where literal translation can lead to misinterpretations or legal ambiguity.
Additionally, the study addresses the role of standardization in legal terminology, the impact of evolving legal frameworks, and the strategies employed by translators to ensure legal equivalence. The authors discuss the importance of using reference materials, comparative legal analysis, and consultation with legal experts to achieve high-quality translations. The findings of this research provide valuable guidance for legal translators, policymakers, and legal professionals working in multilingual legal environments, emphasizing the crucial role of precise translation in ensuring the clarity and enforceability of legal documents.
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