A Journey with MTPE in Legal Translations: Tips for Achieving Precision and Efficiency

Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) has emerged as a pivotal tool for many industries dependent on language and communication. While translation has spanned various fields, delving into the realm of legal translations with MTPE can present unique challenges and learning opportunities for those in the industry.

Sharing these insights and discoveries can help navigate these roadblocks effectively, especially for those working with machine translations for the first time. So let’s delve into the legal system, and how technology can serve as an ally, and not a hindrance, to justice’s ever-weighing scales. 

The Role of MTPE in Legal Translations

To make one thing clear: Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE), is not a replacement for qualified, experienced legal translators. It is simply a blend of automated translation and human expertise, making up for the quality and accuracy that machine translations still lack when it comes to the different texts and documents required by the law.    

MTPE is still a process: after the raw translation from the engine, a linguist or language expert checks the content produced, and corrects any errors made. The human in this equation acts both as a proofreader and a subject matter expert; not only do they remove the stray comma and change the spelling of some words, but they also transform the text into the style and format favored by the firm, client and/or court they’re working with. They make sure that sentences don’t sound awkward or hanging and double-checks if the right terms for specific actions are used.

These tasks show that machine translation post-editors require two skills: knowledge in how machine translations process languages, and the expertise to tailor the needed revisions to the accepted and desired quality. 

Challenges in MTPE for Legal Translations

The set of skills required to be an effective machine translation post-editor can comes with a few downsides:

Bad writing

It may come as a shock to some, but for some legal professionals, knowing the law intimately and putting that knowledge into writing are not mutually exclusive abilities. Legal translators are not book editors — they deal with the text as is, and if the writing itself is packed with jargon, with sentences that are 9 lines long with different types of grammar, then the chances of translating a mistake accurately becomes higher.

The type of machine translation tool used

Machine translation tools have different features and benefits, and some translate legal jargon and terms better than others. There are also some firms that don’t allow translators to translate using Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools. 

Type of document to be translated

Some contracts and documents are standard across most courts, therefore more easily processed by machine translation tools. However, other legal documents, like patents, are more specific and technical, which might require not just a legal translator, but another expert in the same field for a second look.

Language variants

For a specific language, there might be different varieties. For example, American English and British English, while mutually understandable, might have nuances and expressions that might not be familiar to the other. 

Topics the post-editor has no deeper knowledge of

The legal field is vast, with many branches and specialties. While a translator is well versed with, say, real estate, it does not immediately mean they know the specifics of international or environmental law.

Solutions and Tips for Legal Translation MPTE

Fortunately, these issues are not game-enders. There are many methods to assist a translator who wants to work with machines for legal translations, and the list below are just a few:

Pre-Editing Preparations

Simplify complex sentences and legal jargon

Where possible, simplify complex sentences and legal jargon without altering the meaning. Try to clarify any ambiguous phrases or terms before translation.
Use standardized legal terms throughout the document. Machine translation systems rely on this type of consistency for accuracy.

Ensure that the document is well-formatted

Machine translation tools can poorly misinterpret formatted texts, leading to errors. This includes proper punctuation, bullet points, numbering, and avoiding text within images unless it's OCR-friendly.

Remove non essentials

Exclude any non-essential text or elements that do not require translation (like redundant footnotes or references). This can confuse the translation process.

Annotate

If certain sections of the text are particularly complex or contain specific legal situations, consider annotating them for human translators to review post-machine translation.

Glossary of legal terminologies

For highly specialized legal terms, pre-translate them or provide a glossary to ensure they are translated consistently and correctly.

Plan for a thorough review and editing by a legal expert fluent in the target language after the machine translation is complete. This step is crucial for ensuring accuracy and legal validity.

Maintain a clear structure and hierarchy in the document. Headings, subheadings, and lists should be clearly marked to aid the translation algorithm in understanding the document's layout.

Provide clear instructions about the objectives, the target audience, and any specific concerns to be addressed for the post-edit human review.

Post-Editing Process

When the raw translations are complete, the human translators can start work on post-editing. Here are some suggestions that can make the process smoother and efficient for the people involved: 

1. Establish a standardized process for MTPE. This includes set guidelines for editing, specific quality standards, and a clear understanding of the expected outcome.

2. Use as much machine-translated content as you possibly can, while aiming for the required quality. A literal translation may not convey the intended meaning. Prioritize clarity and accuracy to maintain the integrity of the original text. Likewise, if a word or phrase is already clearly translated, don’t enhance the writing unless strictly necessary.

3. Leverage Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools alongside machine translation engines. CAT tools can provide suggestions, maintain translation memory, and ensure consistency throughout the document.

4. Choose editors who have expertise in the subject matter. If the case is about criminal law, then an editor with a background in criminal law should handle the translation.

5. Establish a feedback mechanism to continually improve the translation process. Issues identified in one project can provide insights for future translations.

6. Utilize every resource available during the post-editing process. Exchange emails with experts in the specific law field. Read up on previous cases, consult legal dictionaries, and any other references that might be of use for the current project.

7. Implement strict quality control measures. This could include peer reviews, back-translations, or running sections through multiple translation systems for comparison. If necessary, do a two-step review process, where the first step focuses on correcting errors and ensuring the translated text makes sense, and the second step should be refining the language, making sure it sounds natural, and adhering to the style and tone of the original text.

8. Finally, recognize that machine translation is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise. Understand what the machine translation system is capable of, and be prepared to cover for its weaknesses. 

Conclusion

MTPE is the bridge that joins the gap between technological speed and human expertise in a field where accuracy and precision can make or break a person’s future freedoms and responsibilities. Legal translators are invaluable in this process, as machine translation tools, while fast and able to translate large quantities of text, still lack the finesse and knowledge that only human experts possess.

It’s the legal post-editor’s responsibility to ensure that, no matter what process is used for translation, every message is communicated clearly to all parties involved, in order to maintain equality under the eyes of the law. And through preparation and the right application of tools, legal translators can find a sure partner within the machine translation system.