You can copy shields and emblems in a sworn translation?

All the translators know that the sworn translation is a work which is recognized and applies globally to any institution or body thanks to the signature and seal of the translator who has officially been named by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cooperation of Spain.

Anyone, is aware of the importance that has such work since the author is not only translator, but also public attestor. However, the people who we are inside the Guild know that this task is not regulated. I.e., do not provide what kind of paper must be printed, if its digitized version is sufficient to take effect if you should try to faithfully reproduce the format of the original text, among many other questions arising to any sworn translator.

Copy of shields and emblems in the sworn translation

In this article for our blog, I would like to try an aspect that is rather delicate, legally speaking, on the copy of emblems and badges in the sworn translation. I, like all my fellow translators Translation Company, always try to respect the format of the original text as much as possible, i.e. If I'm translating a birth certificate, a notary deeds or even a record, will always use a similar type of letter, respect font and even make columns if you had them. When I started at Translation Company, at first I was tempted to use TRADOS translation tool and thus literally copy the format, which includes shields like those of Governments and autonomies, or emblems of universities, all of this to do an excellent job. However, this option, though it is done with all the good faith in order to deliver a visually pleasing sworn translation, for nothing is successful, otherwise, we would be incurring an illegality, since in the case of shields, these are logos of public institutions and can not be used for private gain, or in the case of logos of companies and banks are using an element that , the safest, is protected or registered legally.

What is the best solution to translate emblems?

Therefore, when I'm in the original text with emblems, coats of arms, logos... i.e., graphic elements, the solution that I give you, as well as all the official translators, is to put an inscription between square brackets specifying that a coat of arms appears.

I've been researching on this topic and to my surprise, I found that some institutions such as the Community of Madrid can be granted authorization to an individual to make use of its emblems and logos. Personally, and if you have time, I recommend this option if you want to present a work colorful and, above all, legal.

I, as well as all translators of Translation Company, despite knowing this possible authorization, prefer and preferiré to mention the shield in question, since requesting the use of emblems can be a tedious bureaucratic process that slows down the process of translation.