Certificates: translating what's written on a stamp or seal Thread poster: Susan Welsh
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Susan Welsh 
United States
Local time: 12:53
Russian to English
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I've searched the archives, but am still unclear about this:
Is it necessary to translate what's written on a stamp or seal? I spent a good 2 hours today, with a magnifying glass, trying to decipher everything on a birth certificate, translating a few words, formatting, and taking the certificate to the bank for notarization. I didn't charge enough to make it worth that amount of time.
The translation is needed for my client to acquire citizenship. I can't imagine that any co... See more I've searched the archives, but am still unclear about this:
Is it necessary to translate what's written on a stamp or seal? I spent a good 2 hours today, with a magnifying glass, trying to decipher everything on a birth certificate, translating a few words, formatting, and taking the certificate to the bank for notarization. I didn't charge enough to make it worth that amount of time.
The translation is needed for my client to acquire citizenship. I can't imagine that any court in the U.S. really cares what exact regional institution in the Latvian SSR (in this case) issued the birth certificate. Is it enough just to say [Seal] or [Stamp]?
Thanks!
Susan ▲ Collapse
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I do translate what's on the seal, unless it's illegible and I'd say anything that would require me to use magnifying glass would be described as such...
| | | | The Misha
Local time: 12:53
Russian to English
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| When it's illegible - it's [Illegible] | Jun 1, 2011 |
That's what my approach is. When the text on the seal is easily legible, even if not in its entirety, I make a point of translating what I can, even though no one really gives a hoot, you are right about that. If it's not, I put in [Illegible] or [Illegible round seal] and move on. For what you are making on it, you don't have to kill yourself.
| | | | imatahan
Brazil
Local time: 13:53
English to Portuguese
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I do translate what's on the seals and stamps. They are important to identify the official organs that issued the certificates.
If you have a good, instead of using lens you may use the computer zoom. It usually helps.
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Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 10:53
English to Spanish
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In memoriam
If it is at all legible and whatever is legible, I translate it. Now c'mon, really, two hours trying to decipher it, if it could actually be done, is much too long. Either you get it right away with magnification or you do not get it at all.
Here it all gets done except what is illegible.
| | | | Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:53
Russian to English
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In memoriam | I translate issuer's name, if possible | Jun 2, 2011 |
If the name of the issuer is readable, I say "Stamp of (e.g.) Riga Academy of Medicine". I don't think it's necessary to say that it is a holder of the Red Banner Order of Labour, or whatever other extraneous information may be there.
| | | | Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 10:53
Dutch to English
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If it is legible but can't be translated, I copy it exactly as is.
Since it is sometimes hard to say how much work is involved in researching, formatting, etc. of a certificate, it is best to charge by the hour rather than per word. If you are not a certified (sworn) translator, include at least 1/2 hour for getting it notarized. I usually give clients a range (e.g. 2-3 hours) for the estimated cost, that way I have a bit more flexibility if it turns out to take longer than I thou... See more If it is legible but can't be translated, I copy it exactly as is.
Since it is sometimes hard to say how much work is involved in researching, formatting, etc. of a certificate, it is best to charge by the hour rather than per word. If you are not a certified (sworn) translator, include at least 1/2 hour for getting it notarized. I usually give clients a range (e.g. 2-3 hours) for the estimated cost, that way I have a bit more flexibility if it turns out to take longer than I thought. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I would translate everything possible | Jun 4, 2011 |
The last time I had a text (school transcripts for the US) the Swiss notary checked to see that every item was translated before he attached his seal. He could not check the quality, but I had to affirm that I translated the entire text to the best of my ability.
I would believe that the person/agency/goverment receiving the the translation wants to know what is on the paper - all of it. That's why I translate it. If it is not legible, then that too is noted.
[Edited at 2011-... See more The last time I had a text (school transcripts for the US) the Swiss notary checked to see that every item was translated before he attached his seal. He could not check the quality, but I had to affirm that I translated the entire text to the best of my ability.
I would believe that the person/agency/goverment receiving the the translation wants to know what is on the paper - all of it. That's why I translate it. If it is not legible, then that too is noted.
[Edited at 2011-06-04 09:58 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Susan Welsh
United States
Local time: 12:53
Russian to English
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TOPIC STARTER
to all for the benefit of your experience. I think the lesson to be drawn is to use common sense. (And Henry, yes, 2 hours was much too long! If you do these things frequently, obviously it goes much faster. In my defense: I was also struggling with some peculiarities of MS Word 2007 formatting. And then there was my long wait at the bank for notarization!)
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