Corrections in translations: What to do if there are errors in original documents?

What has to be considered when translating faulty documents?

First and foremost, the type of translation plays a decisive role. In case of a certified translation, translators are legally obliged to reproduce the original text as accurately as possible. In this context, obvious errors in the source document may not simply be corrected or changed. For general translations that are not used for official or legal purposes, there is more room for corrections and adaptations. The main focus here is to ensure that no significant errors are concealed or ignored, especially if they change the overall content.

Errors in the original documents can occur in various forms

Sometimes parts of a document are difficult to read, for example due to faded text, handwritten notes or poor scans. Especially with old or damaged documents, it may be difficult to decipher the text. Typos and incorrect spelling are also common in original texts. These errors must be recognised and handled accordingly in order to avoid misunderstandings. If the source text contains incorrect facts, such as an obviously false date of birth or an incorrect address, special care must be taken to ensure that the authenticity of the document is not jeopardised. Grammatical or stylistic errors can also affect the clarity and readability of a text and pose a challenge.

So how do translators actually deal with errors in the source document?

Handling errors in the original text requires not only linguistic skill from translators, but also a high degree of care and responsibility. Errors in the source document are annotated with notes such as "sic" (Latin for "so") or footnotes, corrections are made or consultation is held with the customer. In the case of certified translations, footnotes are mainly placed just before the certification clause in order to guarantee a translation that is as true to form and detail as possible. In general, the purpose of the translation (e.g. advertising, legal documents, technical instructions) is always taken into account and individual considerations are made to find the best solution. Close co-operation with the customer and thorough documentation of the work processes are essential in order to avoid legal and practical problems.

Special care is required for official documents and their certified translations

In the case of official documents or certificates and their certified translations, it is essential that all data is transferred exactly and unchanged, as incorrect certified translations of identity documents, birth certificates or contracts can have serious consequences. If a certified translation is used for official applications or authorisations, for example, even a small error can result in the rejection of the application. Incorrect information on identity documents and their translations can result in incorrect information being entered into databases, which can lead to problems with identity verification. If there are any ambiguities or clearly recognisable errors in the original text, this must therefore be clearly noted in the certified translation.

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