Textual Knowledge in Legal Translation

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the importance of textual knowledge for the translator in different cultures. By knowing the superstructure of the different text types, the translator will have less difficulties in his/her decision-making process. The more familiar the translator is with the different types of texts within a given culture and their super structures, the better the reception of the translated text in the target culture. To this purpose, we have taken as our material texts from industrial property law. The documents considered in this paper make specially reference to those we find both in the Spanish and the British legal systems.