How to Translate Culture in Birth Certificates legal document translation Short documents dont mean simple translations, and

birth certificates are no exception. Written in formal language, these most-basic legal declarations require knowledge of culture for effective translation. Here are some examples of cultural differences you might encounter when you translate a birth certificate, as well as ways to approach translating them. Name order The most basic item on a birth certificate also has a lot of variations. The order, number and significance of names vary from culture to culture, and this can make names tricky on birth certificates. For instance, in Myanmar, there has traditionally been no patronymic or matronymic naming system. Children received one name, and there was no family name as found in the United States. More recently, this has started to change, but older birth certificates may lack a last name as a result. How to translate: While strictly speaking, in the United States a person can legally have as many or as few names as they want, when dealing with official paperwork, it helps to have at least two: first and last. That doesnt mean you should add or remove names in the translation: you should stay true to the source document. However, your client may need to consider how they want to present their name within the legal system. Absence of a name Not every culture gives a child a name immediately after birth. Some wait periods of days, months, or even years before giving the child their name, and as a result, the birth certificate may not include a name, instead listing baby boy or baby girl. How to translate: If you encounter a birth certificate without any name, your client must provide extra documentation to demonstrate that they are the owner of the certificate. Date of the certificate In cultures where you can wait to name a child, the birth certificate may include two dates: the actual date of birth, and the date the certificate is drawn up. This also occurs in countries where parents may have to travel a distance to get to the nearest registrar. How to translate: Make sure you make a distinction between multiple dates on the certificate,

so its clear which is the actual date of birth. Who declares the baby In cultures with a strong patriarchal tradition, only male family members can declare the birth of a child and this shows up in the language of the birth certificate. For instance, in Nepal, only a senior male household member can register a birth, and in Peru the father must be present for the birth to be declared. How to translate: As long as someone has witnessed the birth, different ways of reporting a baby dont usually influence legal validity or translation requirements for a certificate. If you encounter a cultural difference not on this list, make sure to consider it above all in a legal context. What does the client need the translation for immigration, identification, or another purpose? Does the original meet the requirements of the target culture for that context? Will your translation communicate that? Answering these questions should help you provide an adequate translation for the client and provide any necessary extra documentation. Have you encountered any interesting cultural differences in certificates youve translated? Tell us about it in the comments. by Elisabeth Willnerin Culture, Translationbirth certificate, culture, Translation