Sworn translations: what you need to know

Article

On February 24th 2015, Nicole Paredes Ludwig (head of translations) and Barbara Beatrice Lavitola (owner) of Bibielle Global Translations, S.L. (BBLTranslation) gave a presentation in ICAB about sworn translations. The event was organized and introduced by Elisabeth Batista, lawyer and member of the executive committee of the Barcelona Young Lawyers Group (GAJ Barcelona).

Legal translation and sworn translation

During the event, Nicole and Barbara explained sworn translation and how it differs from legal translation. They outlined how it is done, who should do it, and what participants need to take into consideration in order to find a suitable, high-quality sworn translator. They also discussed the criteria for becoming an official sworn translator and how sworn translations work in Germany, Italy and England.

The six most frequently asked questions:

  1. Sworn translations: Better with a sworn interpreter or a sworn translator?

The difference between a sworn interpreter and a sworn translator is that an interpreter translates verbally while a translator does so in writing. Both services are sworn (i.e. official, public or certified), which means that the person translating assumes responsibility for accuracy.

To choose the right sworn translator it’s important to seek out recognized professionals who have experience in the type of text in question.

  1. 2. Can a sworn translator/interpreter certify the authenticity of an original document?

Absolutely not. Translators and interpreters are limited to translating and cannot judge the authenticity or inauthenticity of the original text.

  1. Can photocopies, faxes and electronic documents be translated?

Yes. Translators and interpreters specify in their sworn translations if the task has been done using a photocopy, fax, electronic document, certified copy, text message etc. as a source.

  1. What is the difference between sworn and legal translation?

Sworn translation differs from legal translation. There are two types of legal translations: one is done for courts, and the other one refers only to the translation of texts in the area of law. The sworn translation differs from the first type because it can be carried out in any context, and from the second one because it can refer to any subject.

  1. How is a sworn translation delivered?

Sworn translations are characterized only by the specific format in which they are presented. A sworn translation can only be delivered on paper, as it must include the signature and official stamp of the sworn translator.

  1. What is digitally signed sworn translation?

This important point was covered during the presentation. BBLTranslation is a pioneer in offering this digital service in Spain. The Hague Apostille, an official stamp for documents, is now available in digital form and BBLTranslation is as a result prepared for the digitally sworn translations of the future.

For more information on this subject, or to arrange a presentation in your office, please contact info@bbltranslation.eu.

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In accordance with the regulations applicable to the protection of personal data, and the new provisions contained in the General Data Protection Regulation (hereinafter GDPR), directly applicable from 25 May 2018, Bibielle Global Translations, SL informs you of the following:
i. Contact details of the Data Controller: Bibielle Global Translations, SL (hereinafter BBL), with Tax Identification No. B65336885, registered office at Calle Cartagena 241, Barcelona, 08025, Spain, and contact e-mail legal@bbltranslation.eu.

ii. Purposes: Data collected through the contact e-mail address, or service quotation request form, will be incorporated into files owned by BBL with the purpose of handling, managing and responding to your request or contact. The data provided will not be used for purposes other than those for which it was collected.

iii. In addition, and on a voluntary basis, you may provide your consent (by ticking the corresponding box or registration) to us sending commercial communications, by any route and/or electronic means, and keeping you informed about the services which, being similar to the current ones, may interest you, and which BBL offers to its Clients and users under more advantageous conditions, and to carry out market or customer satisfaction surveys.

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If you provide your consent to the sending of commercial communications, personal data will be processed actively while you have the status of User, or until you withdraw your consent.

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vi. Duty of secrecy: BBL complies strictly with the duty of secrecy and confidentiality of personal data, and for this reason has implemented technical, organisational and security measures to prevent its unauthorised alteration, loss, processing and/or access, taking account of the state of the art, the nature of the stored data and the risks to which they are exposed, all of this as established by Spanish and European legislation on the Protection of Personal Data.

vii. Rights of the data subject:

a. To exercise the rights of access, rectification, erasure and objection, limitation of treatment, data portability and not being the subject of automated individual decisions, by writing to Bibielle Global Translations, SL, Calle Cartagena 241, Barcelona, 08025 Spain or at legal@bbltranslation.eu indicating the subject of your request, and attaching a [copy of your] national identity card or passport.
b. To complain to the Supervisory Authority: if a user considers that their data is not being used properly, and this matter is not addressed by BBL, they may submit a complaint to the relevant data protection authority, which in Spain is the Agencia Española de Protección de Datos.

Important warning: we recommend that you carefully read the contents of this legal text prior to providing any personal data through the website of Bibielle Global Translations, SL, owner of and responsible for the correct application of the Privacy Policy.
In accordance with the regulations applicable to the protection of personal data, and the new provisions contained in the General Data Protection Regulation (hereinafter GDPR), directly applicable from 25 May 2018, Bibielle Global Translations, SL informs you of the following:
i. Contact details of the Data Controller: Bibielle Global Translations, SL (hereinafter BBL), with Tax Identification No. B65336885, registered office at Calle Cartagena 241, Barcelona, 08025 Spain, and contact e-mail legal@bbltranslation.eu.

ii. Purposes: Data collected through the contact e-mail address, or service quotation request form, will be incorporated into files owned by BBL with the purpose of handling, managing and responding to your request or contact. The data provided will not be used for purposes other than those for which it was collected.

iii. In addition, and on a voluntary basis, you may provide your consent (by ticking the corresponding box or registration) to us sending commercial communications, by any route and/or electronic means, and keeping you informed about the services which, being similar to the current ones, may interest you, and which BBL offers to its Clients and users under more advantageous conditions, and to carry out market or customer satisfaction surveys.

iv. Retention: The data will be retained for the time necessary to achieve the purposes for which it was collected, in order to respond to the subject of your request or contact, and while there continues to be a mutual interest. It will be deleted when it is no longer necessary for such purposes, the commercial or contractual relationship ends, unless its retention is required by law.

If you provide your consent to the sending of commercial communications, personal data will be processed actively while you have the status of User, or until you withdraw your consent.

v. Data communication: In no event will your data be transferred or communicated to a third party, unless required by law; nor will it be transferred internationally, except with the unequivocal consent of the data subject, and prior information about the possible recipients, purpose and, where appropriate, country of destination.

vi. Duty of secrecy: BBL complies strictly with the duty of secrecy and confidentiality of personal data, and for this reason has implemented technical, organisational and security measures to prevent its unauthorised alteration, loss, processing and/or access, taking account of the state of the art, the nature of the stored data and the risks to which they are exposed, all of this as established by Spanish and European legislation on the Protection of Personal Data.

vii. Rights of the data subject:

a. To exercise the rights of access, rectification, erasure and objection, limitation of treatment, data portability and not being the subject of automated individual decisions, by writing to Bibielle Global Translations, SL, Calle Cartagena 241, Barcelona, 08025 Spain or at legal@bbltranslation.eu indicating the subject of your request, and attaching a [copy of your] national identity card or passport.
b. To complain to the Supervisory Authority: if a user considers that their data is not being used properly, and this matter is not addressed by BBL, they may submit a complaint to the relevant data protection authority, which in Spain is the Agencia Española de Protección de Datos.

viii. If you receive commercial communications by electronic means, in accordance with the Spanish Law of Information Society and Electronic Commerce Services (LSSICE), you may withdraw your consent, unsubscribe or modify your data using the same channel, through the e-mail address legal@bbltranslation.eu, which will be specified in each communication.