Information updated on translating/understanding French contracts

The French Linguistics site's page on translating French contracts has been updated. The page gives an overview of some of the main issues involved in understanding a French contract such as the compromis de vente signed in the initial stages of buying a French property, as well as other commercial contracts etc.

As in English, key issues with the translation of French contracts revolve around:

• differences in Anglosaxon vs Frencophone legal systems;
• the use of what are now archaic words and phrases in legal parlance: the translation of these may be particularly troublesome because a mainstream dictionary may in effect give you what is the wrong (=modern) interpretation for the purposes of a legal translation;
• the use of technical/otherwise unusual words: these may technical legal or financial jargon whose interpretation is not readily listen in mainstream dictionaries.

The article deals with a few examples of such words and phrases to highlight some of the difficulties involved in producing a good, accurate translation of a French contract or other legal material.

Suggestions for additions to the article, as well as any material appearing on the French Linguistics site, are always welcome.

Problem with French audio pronunciation fixed

Users may have had trouble listening to the audio pronunciation on the French phrases (also referred to as the "basic French vocab" section) as well as in French verb pronunciations in the dictionary.

This issue has now been resolved. All pronunciation features on the French Linguistics site should now be operating normally.

Clarifications added re French Linguistics translation service

Information regarding the site's professional French translation service have been updated. The new information includes clarifications about proofreading and consultation with practitioners. However, if you require any specific clarification, you are still advised to request this at the time of requesting a translation quote.