Are French laws translated? Thread poster: John Detre
|
|---|
My question is similar to the previous one but not identical.
I'm translating a European legal text (which is a bit outside my usual field) and it quotes extensively from the "Arrêté du 16 mai 2005 établissant les modèles types de règlement particulier d'appel d'offres et de convention de délégation de service public pour l'exploitation de services aériens susceptibles de faire l'objet d'une prise en charge financière par l'Etat."
Would an English translation ... See more My question is similar to the previous one but not identical.
I'm translating a European legal text (which is a bit outside my usual field) and it quotes extensively from the "Arrêté du 16 mai 2005 établissant les modèles types de règlement particulier d'appel d'offres et de convention de délégation de service public pour l'exploitation de services aériens susceptibles de faire l'objet d'une prise en charge financière par l'Etat."
Would an English translation of this text already exist, and if so where could I find it?
Thanks for your help! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tony M
France
Local time: 08:57
Member
French to English
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
And it should be easy enough to find with a bit of basic Googling.
I think the Legifrance site is perhaps a good place to start looking, and I seem to remember it has a list of which laws are available in EN.
Do be warned, though, that some of the translations are pretty dire in places, so always read a lot more of the text around the bit you're interested in, so you can form your own opinion of the reliability (or not!) of the translation.
| | | |
I did try Google and Legifrance but didn't come up with it, so I thought maybe someone knows of another site that might have it.
| | | | Jean Lachaud 
United States
Local time: 02:57
English to French
+ ...
| Did you look well? | Sep 19, 2013 |
On this page: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/, click on "Traductions" in the bluish banner row at the top.
Be forewarned: although some Codes have been translated, and ostensibly by prestigious University professors (more likely, the work was farmed out to students who were not up to the task, in typical university fashion), one finds quickly that translations are not good, and quite often lar... See more On this page: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/, click on "Traductions" in the bluish banner row at the top.
Be forewarned: although some Codes have been translated, and ostensibly by prestigious University professors (more likely, the work was farmed out to students who were not up to the task, in typical university fashion), one finds quickly that translations are not good, and quite often large parts of texts (laws, IOW) have been left out.
Basically, the English translations are useless, even when they don't contain egregious errors. IU haven't looked at other languages.
(Salut, Tony !)
John Detre wrote:
I did try Google and Legifrance but didn't come up with it, so I thought maybe someone knows of another site that might have it. ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
| | | Thanks for your help everyone. | Sep 19, 2013 |
I haven't found it but at least now I can tell the client that I made every effort to do so and I'm reasonably confident it doesn't exist. They can't complain if I go ahead and translate it myself.
| | | | | Yes, very useful | Sep 19, 2013 |
Thanks!
| | | | Neil Coffey
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:57
French to English
+ ...
| Word of caution | Sep 20, 2013 |
Just to echo Tony slightly, be very wary about existing translations and of EU law in general -- I've come across (and reported here on at least one occasion as I recall) cases of basic mistranslation. And in any case, an existing translation is not of course "gospel".
Don't take existing translations as an excuse not to put your brain in gear...
[Edited at 2013-09-20 03:18 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
Mark Hamlen
France
Local time: 08:57
French to English
+ ...
| Joining the chorus | Sep 20, 2013 |
I agree that existing translations of French law are pretty awful at times. They are to be taken with a grain of salt, especially because the applicable law is in French.
EU legislation is another (big) problem because English is an official language so it is the official translation that is applicable. So if the translation is an "official" translation, we're stuck with the sometimes bad translation and we should quote it as is (if we have the translation).
[Edited at 20... See more I agree that existing translations of French law are pretty awful at times. They are to be taken with a grain of salt, especially because the applicable law is in French.
EU legislation is another (big) problem because English is an official language so it is the official translation that is applicable. So if the translation is an "official" translation, we're stuck with the sometimes bad translation and we should quote it as is (if we have the translation).
[Edited at 2013-09-20 09:17 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | |
Neil Coffey wrote:
Just to echo Tony slightly, be very wary about existing translations and of EU law in general -- I've come across (and reported here on at least one occasion as I recall) cases of basic mistranslation. And in any case, an existing translation is not of course "gospel".
Don't take existing translations as an excuse not to put your brain in gear...
I have read (more than) my fair share of EU legislation. While the translations are often the most atrocious legalese, they are generally precise (not to say I haven't come across the occasional howler). Whatever their quality, the official text is what is applied in that country (all the language versions have legal force, there is no "primary version" and "translated versions"). Therefore, if a text to be translated contains or cites EU law, I would consider retranslating the text an error. You have to paste in the existing official text. If you find a major error, you might want to add a translator's note.
Of course that doesn't necessarily apply to national legislation that has been translated into a foreign tongue, but even there, for the sake of consistency, I try to use existing translations if they're not hopelessly bad/factually incorrect.
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Are French laws translated? | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
