translating cross-border contracts: tips for cutting time and risk

Copyright 2012 viaLanguage. All Rights Reserved

Translating Cross‐border Contracts Tips for Cutting Time and Risk

Presented by viaLanguage

Welcome SH


• Dean Scalzo, Corporate Counsel, Expedia

• Renee GrimmerLegal Account Executive, viaLanguage

• Scott HerberModerator, EVP Sales, viaLanguage

Your Presenters SH

Copyright 2011 viaLanguage. All Rights ReservedCopyright 2012 viaLanguage. All Rights Reserved

Today’s Agenda SH

Multilingual Contracts:

• Ensuring quality and accuracy

• Selecting and using the right resources

• Strategies for efficiency and cost savings

• Summary/Q&A


Global Trends‐ SH

Global Trends

• M&A transactions

•Cross‐border purchasing

•EU’s Medical Device Directive

•International Packaging Laws

•FCPA/UK Bribery Act


Rising Diversity ‐RG

Top business languages worldwide

1. English2. Mandarin Chinese3. French4. Arabic5. Spanish6. Russian7. Portuguese8. Japanese9. German10. Italian

Bloomberg, August 2011

Spanish or Spanish Creole62%

Chinese5%

Tagalog3%

French2%

Vietnamese2%

German2%

Korean2%

Russian2%

Arabic1%

Other Asian languages

1%All Other languages

18%

Languages Spoken at Home in the U.S.(Other than English)

U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey


Section Break:

SECTION BREAK Ensuring Quality and Legal Accuracy SH


•Lack of legal and linguistic experts

•Budgets

•Risk

•Limited time

Why is this a Growing Challenge? RG


When it Comes to Contracts…. DS

Legal and Linguistic Accuracy is a Necessity• Reputational issues and sound business practices

• Compliance with strict regulatory requirements

• Avoiding legal risk and exposure


NExample: Regional and Translation Expertise RG

• In 2010 Ontario adopted Harmonized Tax, TVH.

• Source Content : English text: “Goods and Services Tax (GST)”

• Final viaLegal translation : “la taxe de venteharmonisée (TVH)”

• Major Global Networking company T&Cs:

• Section 18.1 stated “software is subject to GST in Ontario”


Mitigating Risks In‐house DS

Version control is key• Ensure the English version is complete and

finalized prior to translation• Ensure an English version of the executed

agreement is maintained and documented


Mitigating Risks with a Vendor RG

Use resources that are subject matter experts in:• Language, region, culture, dialects• National/local laws and regulations • Specific subject matter expertise, area of law


Implement a Quality Control Process RG

• Translation and proofreading by multiple expert linguists

• Play book: Style guide, Term List, Translation Memory

• Attorney Reviewers

• Final client review and incorporation of edits

Minimize risks by utilizing a process that includes:


Section Break:

SECTION BREAK Utilizing the Right Resources SH


Selecting Your Service DS

Based on Contract Category

Important Agreement

($$$)

Routine Agreement

(NDA)

TOU Marketing


Using Translations Options in the Marketplace DS

• Law Firms

• Localization Firms

•Google (MT)


Selecting the Right Vendor….RG

Consider:

• Translation experience

• Subject matter expertise

• Tools

• Experience

• Cost


Using Attorney Reviewers RG

Tips for success

•When to use attorney reviewers• Selecting the right reviewers• Establish objectives• Qualify stylistic vs. accuracy feedback


Cut Risk with an Attorney Review Checklist RG

Parties properly identified Effective date, length and termination Choice of law, venue jurisdiction and arbitration Liability clause Confidentiality and non‐disclosures Unusual risk and liability in areas such as privacy, employment/labor, intellectual

property, data privacy, export and tax laws Abnormalities or inconsistencies Review tracked changes/previous edits Translation completeness and accuracy Other/client specific risk areas

Checklists by content type


Section Break:

SECTION BREAK Strategies for Efficiency and Cost Savings SH


Minimize risk and redundancies:• Draft with translation in mind• Employ consistency in terminology usage• Organize and centralize how and where files are stored • Always keep the original source file • Keep revisions and addendums

Start with the “Source” RG


Establish a Glossary/Term List & Style Guide RG

Glossaries/Term List• List of translated (client‐approved) terms• Ensures consistency and understanding

Style Guides• Standardizes stylistic conventions and preferences such as: target audience, voice/tone, literacy levels, etc.


Leverage Translation Memory RG

Translation Memory (TM): • Saves Money (100% Matches =

proofreading charges only)

• Increases consistency

• Saves time

• Final proofing is essential


What about Machine Translation? RG

Consider your content: • Sensitivity• Purpose of translation• Desired outcome• Which pieces need to be

flagged for translation?


Putting it all together…. SH

1. Processes to ensure quality

2. Minimizing risk by selecting the right team and resources

3. Appropriate usage of translation tools


Q&A– SH


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[email protected]

Thank You For Attending! SH

A copy of the webinar will be emailed to you shortly

L

Dean Scalzo, Corporate Counsel

Expedia Legal & Corporate Affairs

v‐[email protected]

translating cross-border contracts: tips for cutting time and risk

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