Преимущества и недостатки автоматизированного перевода в юридической сфере

Ivanona Polina Ruslanovna,
Student at the Russian State University of Justice named after V.M. Lebedev

Scientific consultant Osadchaya O.N.,
Associate Professor at the Foreign Languages Department, Russian State University of Justice, PhD in Philology

Advantages and disadvantages of automated translation in the legal sphere

Abstract. The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of automated translation in the legal field. Automating the translation of documents and regulations significantly speeds up work processes, reduces costs, and increases the availability of legal information. However, despite the positive aspects, automated systems often face problems related to the accuracy and nuances of legal terminology, which can lead to legal errors and misunderstandings. The results of the study emphasize the need to combine automated solutions with expert editing to achieve optimal results in legal translation.

Keywords: automated translation, jurisprudence, legal documents, legal error, legal terminology.

Translation accuracy is of the utmost importance. Legal texts such as contracts, laws, and regulations require the utmost clarity and accuracy, as the slightest mistake can lead to serious legal consequences. Legal translation differs from regular translation by a high degree of responsibility, since even a slight deviation from the original can change the meaning of the document and lead to undesirable legal consequences.

Modern technologies continue to develop at a tremendous rate, and automated translation systems are becoming increasingly popular in various industries, including law. Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, these systems are able to process large amounts of text quickly and economically. Nevertheless, despite their advantages, automated translations in the legal field raise many questions about their accuracy and reliability.

Automated translation systems are complex technologies that rely on advanced machine translation algorithms. In this area, there are two main approaches that have their own characteristics and advantages. These are statistical machine translation (SMT) and neural machine translation (NMT). Statistical machine translation functions based on the analysis of vast arrays of already translated texts. Its essence lies in the fact that it identifies the most likely translation options for specific phrases based on statistical data. This means that SMT algorithms compare phrases and sentences in different languages based on the frequency of their use in previously translated materials. However, this approach can sometimes lead to unnatural and inaccurate translations, especially when dealing with complex constructions or a specific context [3].

At the other end of the spectrum is neural machine translation, which uses neural networks. These networks are trained on large amounts of data and are able to take into account not only individual words, but also the context, as well as the structure of the language. This allows NMT to achieve more natural and accurate translations, as algorithms can better capture semantic nuances and intonations that are inherent in human language [1]. Examples of such systems include Google Translate and DeepL. Google Translate, for example, actively uses large amounts of data to train its models and constantly updates its algorithms in order to improve the quality of translations. This system covers a variety of languages and offers users the ability to translate texts quickly and conveniently. However, despite its achievements, Google Translate also faces certain difficulties, especially when it needs to translate complex terms or phrases that may have multiple meanings depending on the context. The DeepL system, in turn, has gained popularity due to its ability to more accurately convey the subtleties of the language. It uses deeper text analysis, which allows it to better handle the translation of complex sentences and preserve the original style and meaning. DeepL is often the preferred choice for professionals who are looking for high-quality translations. Nevertheless, despite all the achievements of automated translation systems, they still have certain limitations. Algorithms may not always correctly interpret complex legal terms or phrases, as well as take into account cultural and contextual features that can significantly affect the meaning of legal documents.

Legal translation is a highly specialized field that requires not only linguistic skills, but also a deep understanding of legal systems, terminology, and practice. The translation of legal documents requires exceptional accuracy, as even the slightest mistake can have serious legal consequences, sometimes leading to significant financial losses for the parties involved in the process. There are many examples online where inaccurate translations have jeopardized transactions and agreements, which highlights the importance of qualified translation in this area. Accumulating expert knowledge in the field of legal translation requires many years of practice, intensive study and, most importantly, a deep understanding of various legal concepts and norms [1]. Despite the fact that many professional legal translators have formal legal education, technology is developing rapidly, and the demand for legal translation services continues to be high. In this regard, an urgent question arises: can machine translation and generative artificial intelligence completely replace the human experience and competencies that are essential for effective work in this complex field?

One of the main advantages of automated translations is to speed up the translation process. Time is an important resource in legal practice, and the ability to quickly translate large amounts of text allows lawyers and companies to respond promptly to requests and changing conditions. Machine translation can do a job that would take a human several hours or even days in a matter of minutes. Saving money on legal translations is one of the most significant arguments in favor of using automated translation systems. Legal texts, by their nature, are complex and require a deep understanding not only of the language, but also of specific terminology, legislative framework, and legal nuances. The translation of such documents by qualified specialists is an expensive pleasure. The cost of a professional translator with the necessary knowledge and experience can significantly affect the budget, especially for small companies and start-up enterprises. Automated translation systems, in turn, offer a fundamentally different approach that significantly reduces these costs. The absence of the need to pay a professional translator for each document is a significant advantage that allows companies with limited budgets to access the translation of legal documents without burdening themselves with huge costs.

However, it is important to understand that automated translation is not a panacea and cannot completely replace the work of a qualified specialist. Its results require verification and editing. Nevertheless, automated systems turn out to be incredibly useful at the initial analysis stage. Lawyers, faced with a large volume of foreign documentation, can use automatic translation to quickly familiarize themselves with the contents of the documents. This allows you to get a general idea of the essence of the text, assess its relevance and the need for a more detailed professional translation. This approach significantly saves time and resources. Instead of spending precious hours waiting for each document to be translated, a lawyer can quickly analyze many texts, identifying the most important and in need of careful translation performed by certified specialists. Thus, automated translation does not act as a substitute, but as an effective tool that optimizes the workflow and allows rational use of resources, distributing tasks between automated systems and qualified translators. This is especially important in situations where a large volume of documents needs to be processed promptly, for example, in mergers and acquisitions, international arbitration proceedings, or the analysis of patent documentation [2].

Automated translation, despite its apparent attractiveness in terms of speed and resource savings, is an extremely risky tool in the legal field, fraught with serious consequences that can have far-reaching legal and financial consequences. The main problem is the high probability of errors and inaccuracies, especially in the context of complex and multifaceted legal terminology. This is manifested in the incorrect translation of key terms, which can lead to a distortion of the meaning of the entire document. An incorrect translation of a term defining the terms of a contract can lead to disputes, litigation, and significant financial losses for one or both parties. The consequences can be catastrophic, up to the recognition of the contract as invalid.

Moreover, the problem is compounded by the fact that the legal language is replete with complex phrases, idiomatic expressions and ambiguous terms that require a deep understanding of the legal system and its context. For example, a term that has one meaning in the civil law of one country may have a completely different meaning in the criminal law of another [4]. Machine translation does not distinguish between these subtleties, which leads to fundamental errors in understanding the document. Another important aspect is cultural and historical factors that have a huge impact on legal practice. The laws and customs of different countries differ significantly, and machine translation is not able to account for these differences. Therefore, the use of automated translation in the legal field requires extreme caution. You cannot rely on machine translation as the only source of information. Any automatic translation of legal documents must be thoroughly checked and edited by qualified translation lawyers with in-depth knowledge of both law and translation. They will not only correct possible machine translation errors, but also check the adequacy and accuracy of the transmitted meaning, taking into account all the subtleties and nuances of the legal language and cultural peculiarities. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of legal practice. Many free, non-subscription-based MT tools are not secure enough for handling sensitive legal documents. When using these platforms, there is a risk that confidential information could be exposed or stored in ways that breach legal confidentiality requirements. This is a critical concern for legal translators who must ensure their methods comply with strict privacy and confidentiality laws.

All of the above highlights the importance of human intervention in the translation process, especially in cases where a high degree of accuracy and understanding of the context is required. Thus, although automated translation systems have greatly simplified the translation process and made it more accessible, they still cannot completely replace professional translators, especially in specialized fields, particularly in the legal sphere.

References

1) Boulanger A.M. The pros and cons of machine translation and AI in legal translation. URL: https://www.mcgill.ca/continuingstudies/article/pros-and-cons-machine-translation-and-ai-legal-translation (date of admission: 14.03.2025)

2) Budilov V.M. Translation of legal texts: philosophical, theoretical and legal as well as methodological aspects. URL: https://pravovedenie.spbu.ru/article/view/6735/5182 (date of admission: 14.03.2025).

3) Maksimenko O.I. Challenges in automated translation of legal texts. History. Ecomonics. Linguistics. Kolomna: University of Humanities. № 4 (40), 2020. P. 66-71.

4) Mansour F. The role of legal translation in the interpretation of international law documents. URL: https://www.russianlawjournal.org/index.php/journal/article/view/112/10 (date of admission: 14.03.2025).