As demands for legal services for non-English speaking clients continues to grow, language barriers are a common and on-going challenge for paralegals. The world is also witnessing new trends in the globalization of the legal industry – law firms are expanding across borders, working with foreign governments and councils, and working with foreign institutions within the U.S. and abroad.
Unclear communication creates problems for both sides, as both parties’ desires are compromised through misunderstanding and uncertainty. People often think of immigration law, but language barriers also exist in criminal, corporate, probate, and family law cases involving document creation, negotiations, and going to trial.
Clarity is extremely important when handling potential clients and the legal services they require. Courtrooms hold the potential for life-changing results, so clients need an accurate understanding of what legal circumstances they face. Attorneys also need clear information from their clients to provide them with appropriate services. Language barriers jeopardize clarity. Therefore, paralegals can help by establishing an effective channel of communication between the attorney and client.
Even when clients have a strong grasp of the English language, they still may require services in their native language to guarantee accuracy. From personal experience I understand how a lack of clear communication creates anxiety. I had a small problem returning to Bolivia from Brazil. To make a long story short, I was detained by the Bolivian government for a couple of hours over an issue with my visa. Although I am fluent in Spanish, I didn’t understand one hundred percent of the technical language that the immigration department used. I’ll always remember the very negative feeling that came over me. Just remember that no matter where in the world you are, you will always feel more comfortable having legal services in your native language.
Using outside language experts is always the most efficient way to provide legal services for non-English speaking clients. Expertise is required to ensure the following:
- Clear communication for clients receiving legal services, including in the courtroom
- Eliminate the dangers of machine translation
- Effective document translation
- Effective interpretation services
Language services are necessary when attorneys represent non-English speaking clients. Multilingual paralegals have their place, but hire a professional to ensure clear communication between council and client and to ensure accurate translation.
Why do you think it’s important for paralegals to be familiar with language services, and when is a bilingual paralegal most helpful?
