Lost in Translation: The Importance of Hiring a Bilingual Lawyer

Last updated 8 months ago

Nowadays, proficiency in a language other than one’s own is an extremely beneficial skill—especially in an attorney.

Read through the following list of benefits to hiring a bilingual lawyer, and keep these benefits in mind should you ever need legal assistance as a result of a work-related injury or medical malpractice claim.

Understanding of Legal Terminology and Grasp of the Details

On a basic level, bilingual attorneys will be able to understand law-related vocabulary in a foreign language, without the aid of a paid translator. Having this ability will significantly lower the risk of improper or inaccurate translations, skipped words, or missed facts. In a legal case, your attorney must be aware of every specific detail in order to effectively argue your claim and secure you compensation.

Familiarity with Cultural Nuances

Bilingual attorneys will also be more likely to understand any relevant cultural nuances and to avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings. For example, some languages and cultures rely on a degree of bodily or facial movement/expression, while others have subtle verbal rules that relate specifically to arguing or negotiation. Familiarity with your linguistic and cultural laws will ensure your attorney’s ability to competently handle your case and will also prohibit any offensive missteps during attempts to communicate with individuals relevant to the claim.

Customer Service

When you are seeking the help of an attorney, the last thing you will want to deal with is a lawyer who has trouble understanding you—stress and frustration (not to mention potential physical pain if you are filing a personal injury claim) are likely already at play, and having your lawyer ask you to repeat yourself time and again will only cause you more anxiety. By hiring a bilingual attorney, you can avoid the added pressure to make yourself clear and relax knowing that nothing you say will be lost in translation.

If you are more comfortable speaking in a foreign language and you have a personal injury claim that you need legal assistance pursuing, then call the offices of Santilli Law Group at (888) 319-6979—our attorneys can help!

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.