Difference between Sworn and Certified Translation Service

On December 14, 2019 / Certified Translation / Leave a comment

You could be a native English speaker and still not know the difference between affect and effect. Even authors forget the use of these two words sometimes and that’s okay because languages and words are confusing and there is only so much that we can remember. So, if we can forget something that is part of our language, you can imagine the confusion when one has to deal with similar looking words of a field, they have no idea about. For instance, legal terms are already pretty difficult to understand for those who have no knowledge of the law but if you were to ask someone the difference between a legalized and certified statement, they will have no answer for you.

Humans have a high level of understanding and can easily comprehend complex ideas but they can also get confused about simple things. We don’t really know how exactly our brains work but since they help us out on so many occasions, we are willing to ignore the instances when they turn out to be useless. A brain is an organ, after all and it can get tired too. There is only so much pressure we can put on our brains before they explode. So, if you can remember a million different things but forget a dozen, that’s not a bad ratio.

If you are not going to court anytime soon, it is okay for you to not know the difference between prosecution and defense. You don’t have to know what a district attorney does or what powers a judge has in a jury system. But if you have to go to a hearing the next week and it is your case that will be heard in the court, it will be pretty bad on your part to not know the basics of the legal system. Once you become involved in something, you should acquire basic knowledge about it so you can make the most out of it and not get crushed under the pressure of figuring out unfamiliar terms and confusing phrases.

Complex Terms in the Translation Industry:

If you have never needed a translation in your life, you are probably living under a rock. Even those who don’t have a multinational company or trying to immigrate to a foreign country will need translation at some point in their lives. It doesn’t even have to be something official. Maybe you just need to know what a particular post on the internet means and why everyone is laughing on a tweet you can’t understand. Our world is a global village where everyone is connected via the internet. But without the language tools, that connection would be meaningless. Sure, the machine interpretations are not completely accurate but they still help us from time to time and also provide us a general idea of a post even when they can’t show us the full picture.

But if you have ever needed a translation for official purposes, you must have heard a few complex terms that didn’t mean anything to you. Words like certified and legalized are way too common in the world of translation. They are so much in use that they have developed various definitions. Which makes it difficult for people to understand the true meaning behind them. Those in need of translations can be in a fix because of this issue because when they don’t know what a term means, they can’t find the right professional for the task.

Sworn or Certified Translation Service, what is the Difference?

Certified translation is a pretty common term in the language services industry. But sometimes, there are additional words with it that can confuse people. Those who don’t know the difference between these terms can end up messing up the situation. So, in order to reduce the chances of that, take a look at the differences between sworn and certified translations:

A certified translation is one that is carried out by a highly qualified professional who has to sign a statement attesting to the accuracy of the document. They also declare that the document is complete and is looking just like the original paper. This helps companies trust a document’s validity. Government bodies always ask for this type of interpretation. But nowadays even universities have started asking for certified translations. Businesses hiring people from abroad also ask for certified translations of personal documents to be sure of the identity of a person.

A sworn translation is what a professional who is sworn in can do. Translators who have taken an oath in a court of law can provide this type of translation. It is a very accurate interpretation and often required in court cases. The reason why it is so important is because the translator takes their oath under penalty of perjury. That proves that the interpretation is accurate. A sworn translator has a seal that is used on the bottom of the documents as proof of accuracy.

Understanding the difference between a sworn and certified translations can help you navigate your way through the muddy waters of language services industry. Knowing the important terms and their meanings can also help you negotiate with your translator when the time comes. So, the next time someone asks you to bring a translation, you can confidently ask them whether they need a certified one or a sworn one. Then you can get in touch with the right professional and get the service you require.

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