Key Aspects and Problem Areas in The Jurilinguistic Translation of Certain Forms of Legal Contracts in Terms of Terminology Transfer Between Two Different Legal Systems: Polish and English

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Key aspects and problem areas in the jurilinguistic translation of

certain forms of legal contracts in terms of terminology transfer
between two different legal systems: Polish and English.
Joanna J. Rek Harrop
Translator & Interpreter
MA University of Birmingham (UK), DPSI (Law) Chartered Institute of Linguists (UK)
Abstract:
The translation of legal terminology used for establishing facts in court

cases cannot be performed without regard to legal-cultural concepts and
differences between legal systems. The level of equivalence of the terms
depends on the extent of relatedness of the legal systems and not on that of
the languages involved. Official legal translators would therefore benefit
from legal training.
Key aspects and problem areas in the translation of the legal terminology
of contracts that originate from the Polish civil law tradition and the
English common law culture remain under-explored.
This study analyses this field and is based on five official translations of
English contracts that can be accepted for the purpose of evidence in a
Polish Court. It first examines relevant theoretical framework and
translation practice. Then a chapter on the translation process considers
contextual differences between Polish and English law and focuses in
detail on terminological issues present in the selected contracts, providing
practical examples of how these issues were resolved. On the basis of
survey results the paper proposes the most accurate form of legal
terminology translation and finally considers whether it is possible for the
target language contract to have the same legal effect as the original.
Key Words: jurilinguistic transfer, cultural transfer, legal translation, legal discourse,
cultural implications, legal meaning, legal terminology, referencing, legal
conventionalities, lexis, syntax, context, legal tradition, contract,
agreement, equivalence, function, legal systems, civil law, common law,
legal function.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2
LINGUISTIC THEORY for LEGAL TRANSLATION 4
2.1
The theoretical framework
2.2
The issue of equivalence in legal translation
2.2.1
Functional equivalence
2.2.2
Alternative equivalents and translating methods
12
2.3
The translators agenda
14
THE TRANSLATING PROCESS
16
3.1
Polish and English Law contextual differences
16
3.1.1
The function of contracts in two different legal systems
17
3.2
ST Reader, TT Reader and Ideal TT Reader
18
3.3
Subcategories of legal terminology
18
CHAPTER 3
3.3.1
Purely technical terms
19
3.3.2
Semi-technical terms
21
3.3.3
Non-technical terms
26
3.4
Latin terms
30
3.5
Terms of French and Norman origins
31
3.6
Archaic Anglo-Saxon terms
32
3.7
Terminological errors
33
3.8
Terminological vagueness
34
3.9
Names and entities
37
3.9.1
Business entities
37
3.9.2
Names of English institutions and legal acts
39
CHAPTER 4
SURVEY
40
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSIONS
43
APPENDIX I
Contracts and translations
45
APPENDIX II
The legal terminology
65
APPENDIX III
The survey with results
69
APPENDIX IV
Translation of the Polish Court Translator Code
71
Figure 2.1
Near-functional equivalence
Figure 2.2
Partial functional equivalence
Figure 2.3
Non-equivalence
10
REFERENCES
75
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Legal translation has been described by researchers as a category in its own right
(Garzone, 2000: 395). This is mainly due to the complexity of legal discourse that
combines two extremes: the resourcefulness of the literary language used for the
interpretation of ambiguous meanings and the terminological precision of specialised
translation. The translation of legal terminology requires particular attention because it
consists primarily of abstract terms deeply and firmly rooted in the domestic culture and
intellectual tradition (Chrom, 2004: 48) and thus entails a transfer between two different
legal systems, each with its own unique system of referencing. An excellent example of
problems relating to the translation of such terms may be found in the official translations
of contracts.
In this study, I will analyse key aspects and problem areas to be considered by a translator
in the translation of the legal terminology of contracts that have their origins in English
common law and are translated into Polish civil law. The study is based on five official
translations of English contracts that can be used for the purpose of evidence in a Polish
Court. Such translations are done by qualified translators who are required to swear to
the accuracy of their work. The official translations were prepared on the assumption that
the target text reader is a legal professional. However, the proposed translation choices
took into consideration the fact that the aforementioned targeted legal professional comes
from a different legal tradition and that there is consequently a difference in his/her
referential classification.
The selected contracts consist of: an Employment Contract, a Cohabitation Agreement, a
Tenancy Agreement, a Guarantee Agreement and an Agreement for the Sale of a Vehicle,
all taken from 301 Legal Forms, Letters and Agreements (2005) by Lawpack Publishing
that I translated into Polish language using five bilingual dictionaries of legal terms and a
Lexicon of Law Terms, all published after 2004, and recent monolingual material in the
form of the Encyclopaedia of [Polish] Law, the Collins English Dictionary, the Oxford
Dictionary of [English] Law (listed in the References) and the Birmingham University
Bank of English Corpora.
The paper consists of five chapters. Chapter 2 will discuss the relevant theoretical
framework and translation practice. It will focus on the issue of equivalence in legal
translation, paying particular attention to functional equivalence and a selection of
alternative translating methods. The chapter will also assess problem areas and the
translator's agenda when dealing with this type of translation. Chapter 3 will analyse the
translating process and will thus consider contextual differences between Polish and
English law, Polish and English legal languages and, associated with them, the function
of contracts in two different legal systems and their target text readers. The chapter will
then focus in detail on terminological issues present in the selected contracts, providing
practical examples of how these issues were resolved in their proposed official
translations. In order to analyse the benefit of legal training for translators when dealing
with terminological issues, the paper is supported by a survey of experienced
professionals working with the language pair Polish/English.
The survey results
presented in chapter 4 include proposals, based on their opinions, as to the most accurate
form of terminology translation and analyse whether it is possible for the target text to
have the same legal effect as the original. Chapter 4 also includes a summary of changes
that have influenced official legal translators of contracts working with the
aforementioned language pair. Chapter 5 provides conclusions based on the analysis and
findings presented in the paper.
The four appendices consist of all the aforementioned original contracts and their
proposed official translations into Polish, the terminology of all the translated legal
documents, the survey questions with results and the Code of Practice of the Polish
Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators (TEPIS) that I translated into English.
The reference abbreviations used throughout this study are as follows: ST1 (source text
1) = Employment Contract in English common law; ST2 = Co-habitation Agreement in
English common law; ST3 = Tenancy Agreement in English common law; ST4 =
Guarantee Agreement in English common law; ST5 = Agreement for the sale of a vehicle
in English common law; 1 = paragraph one; 2 = paragraph two, etc.; TT1 (target text
1) = Employment Contract translated into Polish civil law; TT2 = Co-habitation
Agreement translated into Polish civil law; TT3 = Tenancy Agreement translated into
Polish civil law; TT4 = Guarantee Agreement translated into Polish civil law and TT5 =
Agreement for the sale of a vehicle translated into Polish civil law; SL (source language)
= English; TL (target language) = Polish and BT (back translation) = from Polish into
English language. My personal comments are added in square brackets.
CHAPTER 2 LINGUISTIC THEORY FOR LEGAL TRANSLATION

Different languages divide semantic space in different ways and this theoretically
excludes any possibility of finding full equivalence of Polish and English terms.
Additionally, the legal translations analysed here cannot be carried out in isolation from
the legal cultural concepts and differences of legal systems. Theory helps to open up a
series of possibilities and alternatives to make legal translation a practical possibility.
The theoretical framework to be discussed here looks at the researched views of scholars
on translation methods used for the transfer of legal language, the translators stance
when selecting a relevant method and the issue of equivalence of the main component of
the legal language - the terminology.
2.1
The theoretical framework
Sinclair proposes that the advantage of a theoretical framework is that it offers a quick
route to sophisticated observation and insight (2005: 13). From the epistemological
perspective legal translation stands at the crossroads of legal theory, language theory and
translation theory and therefore the scholarly views presented below combine a selection
of aspects from these disciplines. The most general view is Schleiermachers distinction
that refers to foreignization and domestication of the TT:
The translator can either leave the writer in peace as much as possible and bring the reader to
him, or he can leave the reader in peace as much as possible and bring the writer to him.
(Schleiermacher von, 1838: 47, as translated in Wilss, 1982: 33)
Bringing the reader to the ST would require the TT reader to process the translation in
its original foreign context, while bringing the writer to the reader would mean
domesticating the ST in terms of the context familiar to the TT readers and thus making it
easy for it to be assimilated by them. Comparable methods are considered in translation
theory relating to legal language and terminology. In support of foreignizing strategies,
Koller (1979: 89) insists that full adaptation is not an accepted method of translation in
legal texts as it results in semantic distortion. Nord further maintains that a TT cannot be
regarded as a translation if it is not bound to the ST (1988: 31). Eugene Nida proposes a
theory of formal equivalence that focuses on gloss translation, resolving all lexical and
grammatical differences between ST and TT by remaining as close as possible to the ST:
it is essential that formal equivalence is stated primarily in terms of a comparison of the way in
which the original receptors understood and appreciated the text and the way in which receptors of
the translated text understand and appreciate the translated text. (Nida, 1993: 116)
Cesana further supports the foreignisation of legal terminology and proposes the use of
neologisms and loan words to render new legal concepts: it is fidelity to the original
which counts, not the beauty or elegance of the target language (Cesana, 1910: 188, as
translated in arevi, 2000: 37). This view is also supported by Weisflog (1987: 194)
who advocates formal equivalence, also known as formal correspondence.
I believe that on occasion, in official translations of contracts authorised for use in a
Polish court of law, direct reference to foreign legal terminology is necessary since a
particular legal concept might be totally unknown in the TT legal tradition and the
translations should stay faithful to the ST. Examples of such terms, e.g. the contractingout certificate available to certain civil service pensioners in the United Kingdom and
common-law wife, are analysed in section 2.2.1 below. However, the excessive use of
loan words without explanation in the translated document can easily render it
incomprehensible or unclear to a reader, even one with a great degree of legal
background in the TL, such as the judge. For the same reason I do not agree with the use
of neologisms in the aforementioned type of documents as these are invented words
whose precise meaning has often not been fully established in the TL.
TT-oriented methods derive from contrasting views on the translation of legal terms that
also have a large group of scholarly supporters. Another of Nidas theories proposes the
method of dynamic equivalence, that is the aforementioned domestication of the ST
(Hatim and Mason, 1990: 7). Tomek (1990: 113) proposes that legal translation is a
procedure based on both linguistic and legal comparative approaches. He supports the
view of that the focus should be the target language, and divides the translation process
into intrasemiotic and intersemiotic (1991: 147).
Intrasemiotic translation is the
transfer of information from the first to the second semantic level of the SL i.e. transfer
from the legal language to the legal metalanguage while intersemiotic translation is the
translation of a legal text from the SL to the TL. In my opinion, the legal translator
should not aim at the full domestication of contracts that may be used in a Polish court of
law for two principal reasons. Firstly, official legal documents should stay faithful to the
ST and it is extremely unlikely that the direct and indirect meanings of legal concepts of
the ST have precisely the same legal meaning when domesticated in the TL legal culture.
Secondly, the judge should know that the document originates from a foreign legal
system and thus determine which law or part of the instrument is to be applied when
interpreting certain legal terminology.
In legal translation, many scholars associate legal equivalence with the extent to which
the same legal effect can be produced in the TT while maintaining fidelity to the ST.
This technique, often referred to as a functional equivalence, is described by Newmark as
a procedure that occupies the universal area between the SL and the TL (2005: 83). I
agree with Jean-Claude Gmar who recommends the use of functional equivalence for
the purpose of the official translation of contracts (1995-II: 163 166) because it makes
the TT both comprehensible to the target reader and faithful to the original ST.
Functional equivalence is further analysed in section 2.2.1.
Newmark (1981: 47) further suggests that when dealing with legal documents like
contracts that are concurrently valid in the TL, the translator should focus on a
communicative approach that is TT-orientated. Vermeer agrees with the view that legal
criteria should be taken into account when selecting the most appropriate translation
strategy since the meaning of legal texts is determined by the legal context:
For instance, in regard to contracts, the decision whether and to what extend target-language
formulae should be used is determined primarily by the law governing the contract. This fact is
essential because it determines whether the contract will be interpreted according to the source or
the target legal system.
(Vermeer, 1982: 99, as translated in arevi, 2000: 19)
Beaupr also supports the statement and proposes that legal translation should formulate
two equal versions of the same instrument, which strive not so much for verbal and
grammatical parallelism but:for linguistic purity within the confines of legal equivalence Hence the decision-making
process of the legal translator is based primarily on legal considerations.
(Beaupr, 1987: 179, as translated in arevi, 2000: 47)
Examples of the practical application of the above theory in the official translation of
contracts are presented in chapter 3. I agree with de Beaugrande (in Bell, 1991: 23) who
warns that it is inappropriate to expect that a theoretical model of translation should
solve all the problems a translator encounters. Instead, it should formulate a set of
strategies for approaching problems and for coordinating the different aspects entailed.
In official translations of contracts that can be used in a court of law, the strategies used
must above all focus on one main principle, which is fidelity to the source text:
Legal translators have traditionally been bound by the principle of fidelity. Convinced that the
main goal of legal translation is to reproduce the content of the source text as accurately as
possible, both lawyers and linguists agreed that legal texts had to be translated literally. For the
sake of preserving the letter of the law, the main guideline for legal translation was fidelity to the
source text. Even after legal translators won the right to produce texts in the spirit of the target
language, the general guideline remained fidelity to the source text. (arevi, 2000:16)
2.2
The issue of equivalence in legal translation
At the heart of the aforementioned theoretical framework lies the equivalence of

terminology that has its origins in different legal traditions. According to de Groot
(1998), the first stage in translating legal concepts involves studying the meaning of the
source-language legal term to be translated. Then, after having compared the legal
systems involved, a term with the same content must be sought in the target-language
legal system. Equivalence aims to give the lexis and terminology of two languages equal
meaning and corresponding import and significance, and, as can be seen from some of
the research presented above, it also strives to achieve the same legal effect based on
legal interpretation of the source information.
2.2.1
Functional equivalence
The legal functional equivalent already referred to in subsection 2.1 is defined by

arevi (1988: 964; 1989: 278-279) as a term in the target legal system designating a
concept or institution, the function of which is the same as that in the ST. Weston further
proposes that the technique of using a functional equivalent may be regarded as the ideal
method of translation (1991:23). According to arevi (2000: 238-239) functional
equivalence can be categorised into three groups: near-equivalence, partial equivalence
and non-equivalence. The groups are described below and are graphically represented by
figures where the Polish legal concept (P) is marked by a grey circle and the English legal
concept (E) is marked by a blue circle:
a)
Near-equivalence occurs when legal concepts in Polish and English share most of
their primary and incidental characteristics or are the same, which is very rare.
P
E
Figure 2.1 Near-functional equivalence

One example to illustrate near-functional equivalence is the term contractor (ST1). The
word contractor translated into Polish is kontrahent or wykonawca. Kontrahent or
wykonawca is one of the parties who undertakes a contract (New Dictionary of the
Polish Language, 2003: 353) but of a different kind than the permanent employment
contract. Kontrahent often relates to one off contracts with a set deadline and clearly
defined purpose i.e. construction of a building, professional advice and etc. The word has
identical connotations in English language: a person who undertakes a contract
especially to provide materials, conduct building operations, etc. (Concise Oxford
English Dictionary, 2002: 312) as opposed to an employee who is a person who works
under the direction and control of another (the employer) in return for a wage or salary
(Dictionary of Law, 2003: 170).
Another example that demonstrates near-functional equivalence is the term annual
bonus in ST1 that is translated into Polish literally as premia roczna. However, it has
to be highlighted that the term premia roczna is more often referred to in Poland as
trzynastka (thirteen [pay]). Since the term trzynastaka is unknown in English culture
and the meaning of premia roczna is equally clear to a Polish reader I have chosen the
latter as a safer but equally adequate option.
b)
Partial equivalence occurs when the Polish and English legal concepts are quite
similar and the differences can be clarified, e.g. by lexical expansion.
Figure 2.2 Partial functional equivalence

One example that illustrates this type of functional equivalence that calls for attention is
the term director. In Poland a director does not have to be a member of the Board of
Directors in order to hold that title while in the United Kingdom it is a necessary
requirement. The role of the subject of the ST1 is thus that of Financial Director and
member of the Board of Directors. To make the reader fully aware of the differences in
the responsibilities of a Director or to prompt the reader to seek further legal advice and
reassurance that the TT has the same legal effect as the original I have added oraz
czonka rady dyrektorw (and member of the Board of Directors) in brackets.
The next example belonging to this group of equivalents is the term contract (ST1).
The Polish concept of contract (kontrakt or umowa) is much broader than its English
equivalent as it also incorporates the legal notion of the semi-technical term agreement,
which is discussed further in point 3.3.2. The word contract (kontrakt) is also an
example of the etymological equivalents that often belong to the group of partial
functional equivalents. Since in this case the translation was into Polish the term was
translated literally, i.e. umowa, maintaining its intended English meaning.
Another term Council Tax (ST2) is a tax levied on households by local authorities in the
United Kingdom. This tax shares many similarities with Polish podatek miejski (Town
Tax). Nonetheless, these taxes are calculated slightly differently in Poland and in the
United Kingdom and thus, for the purposes of translation that can be used in a court of
law, after translating the term as podatek miejski it is necessary to add (Council Tax) in
brackets for further clarification.
c)
Non-equivalence occurs when only few or none of the important aspects of Polish
or English legal concepts coincide or if there is no functional equivalent in the
target legal system for a specific ST concept.
Figure 2.3 Non-equivalence

One example that illustrates this type of functional equivalent is a contracting-out
certificate complemented by additional information under the Pension Schemes Act
1993 (ST1) that refers to an option given to certain Civil Service employees to contract
out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme by joining occupational or personal
pension schemes in the United Kingdom. The legal concept of the English contracting-
out certificate does not exist in the Polish legal tradition. For the purpose of the official
translation of contracts the legal meaning of this non-equivalent term is most precisely
conveyed by the use of a descriptive paraphrase with the original in parenthesis:
Zawiadczenie o odczeniu si drog umowy (contracting-out certificate) Certificate
confirming contracting-out by way of agreement (contracting-out certificate). Since the
Act it refers to follows the term, it is the target readers responsibility to investigate the
legal implications regarding the certificate.
Another example of a non-equivalent term is severability (ST1). The term does not
have a functional equivalent in Polish legal terminology and none of the latest bilingual
or monolingual legal or general dictionaries used in the paper attempts to translate it. The
translator must thus first understand the implications of the term in English law and then
find a corresponding concept in the TL legal terminology. Severability is the title of a
contract clause that is intended to condense the meaning of the entire clause and which
defines consequences for the entire contract if part of the contract has become impossible
to fulfil or is no longer required. The term must not be translated as rozdzielno
(separation, divisibility) since then the clause could be interpreted in many ways in a
Polish context. Rather, it should be replaced by a neutral paraphrase: rozdzielna
interpretacja postanowie umowy (separate interpretation of the contract provisions [in
case of annulment]) that has the same legal effect as severability.
The ST3 term Assured Shorthold Tenancy has similar implications. Just as in the case
of severability discussed above, the term does not have a functional equivalent in Polish
legal terminology and none of the latest bilingual legal or general dictionaries used for
this paper attempts to translate it. The Assured Shorthold Tenancy provides an instrument
whereby the landlord can be certain of his right to repossess his/her property. It is based
on English Law, i.e. the Housing Act 1988 as amended by the Housing Act 1996, and the
legal concept of the Assured Shorthold Tenancy is therefore unknown in Polish law. The
use of the term shorthold tenancy could easily be misinterpreted by a translator
unfamiliar with the law as a tenancy agreement for a short period of time. In order to
resolve all possible ambiguities in understanding the entire meaning of the Assured
Shorthold Tenancy, the alternative equivalent should contain some clarification. Thus the
paraphrase Umowa Najmu Zabezpieczajca Prawo Wasnoci Waciciela w Wielkiej
Brytanii (Tenancy Agreement assuring the ownership rights of the owner / landlord to
his/her property in the United Kingdom) followed by the original English term in
brackets (Assured Shorthold Tenancy), is in my opinion, the most appropriate way since
it also indicates to the judge the legal system according to which the term is to be defined.
Determining the acceptability of functional equivalents is, in my view, the most important
aspect of the process of legal translation and it frequently depends on the context.
arevi (2000: 242) suggests that when assessing the acceptability of a functional
equivalent the legal translator should take account of the structure, classification, scope
of application and legal effects of both the functional equivalent and its source term.
Therefore, when dealing with legal conceptual voids or partial equivalents a legal
background can be very helpful for the translator.
The legal topic must be well
researched in order to provide supporting information in the TL.

2.2.2
Alternative equivalents and translating methods
When the use of a functional equivalent is inadvisable because it could lead to

misinterpretation, the translator must select, just like in a case of non-equivalence, an
alternative equivalent, which will serve as a signal to judges to indicate the legal system
in the framework of which the term is to be defined. The choice of an alternative
equivalent can sometimes have a significant effect on the interpretation and application of
the entire TT. Take for example the term common-law wife (ST3). The term describes
a female cohabiting with a male as his wife without being married to him. On the basis
of this description, the term is often translated into Polish legal documents as konkubina
(concubine) (Oga, 2006: 116). In English common law a common-law wife has
certain rights and in certain aspects of the law she is recognised as equivalent to a married
person i.e. for purposes of protection against domestic violence, for some provisions of
the Rent Act or inheritance (Dictionary of Law, 2003: 94).
konkubina (concubine) has no legal rights.
In Polish civil law a
Therefore, the term konkubina does not
render an accurate legal correspondence for official translations of contracts that can be
used in a Polish court of law. In my opinion, in this situation a descriptive paraphrase
with the original in parenthesis, most precisely conveys the legal meaning, and hence has
the same legal effect, indicating to the Judge that the term originates from a foreign legal
framework: wspyjca jako ona bez lubu wedug prawa zwyczajowego w Anglii
(common-law wife) (cohabiting without marriage with a woman described in English
Common Law as wife (common-law wife)).
An important translating rule to be borne in mind when using an alternative equivalent is
that the legal translator should uphold the principle of language consistency by using the
same equivalent everywhere reference is made to a particular legal concept. Akehurst (in
arevi, 2000: 254) points out that English courts presume that a difference of
terminology implies difference in meaning and thus the use of synonyms is objected to.
Polish courts take the same view. For example, the Employment Contract (ST1) defines
its subject i.e. Dr Smith, as an employee translated into Polish as pracownik. The term
employee must therefore be used throughout the document on all occasions when it
refers to the subject.
Synonyms such as post-holder, job-holder, worker, etc.
(zatrudniony, pracobiorca etc.), would suggest that they refer to another person, as would
any other corresponding Polish synonyms.
Lawyers agree that from their viewpoint the most effective way of translating legal terms
is to use descriptive paraphrases and definitions as these compensate for terminological
incongruency by presenting the legal information in neutral language (arevi, 2000:
253). This method, however, requires a certain degree of research, legal training and
relevant background knowledge on the part of the translator. Lawyers (arevi, 2000:
255) also recommend retaining the functional equivalent but followed by the borrowing
in parenthesis, with the aim of making it clear that the term derives its meaning from a
foreign legal system and thus must be interpreted with reference to the relevant foreign
law, i.e., taking the terms already analysed in point 2.2.1, Council Tax (ST3) should be
translated as Podatek miejski (Council Tax) and Housing Act 1988 (ST3) as Ustawa o
Gospodarce Mieszkaniowej 1988 (W Wielkiej Brytanii) (Housing Act 1988 (in the
United Kingdom)).
In a situation where a legal text refers to a specific technical term this lexeme can be used
as a borrowing in the TT. Asensio (2003: 56) recommends that borrowings or loan words
are necessary when identification is the main concern, as is the case of proper nouns,
degrees, grades, etc. I do not agree that this recommendation always ensures the most
precise alternative equivalent since, for example, the title of doctor in ST3, abbreviated as
Dr. in Anglo-Saxon countries, is not always equivalent to the title of doctor in Poland due
to differences in the educational systems. Since it is not the main aspect of the translation
and so there is no more contextual information available, the title has not been altered in
the TT. Otherwise, an alternative with annotation would be necessary in order to draw
the attention of the judges / lawyers to the fact that the term should be interpreted as part
of a foreign system.
Borrowings without explanation and any naturalisations, modified phonologically or
graphologically, derived from them, should be avoided whenever an acceptable
equivalent already exists in the target legal system.
2.3
The Translators Agenda
Translators who engage in the official translation of contracts that can be used in courts
of law and who, in Poland, are referred to as sworn translators, are subject to legal and
sociological factors that condition the way they translate.
In the selection of the
translating method to be followed for the transfer of legal terminology in official

translations, the translators stance has a great degree of significance. I disagree with
Venutis view that proposes that translators of legal documents are bound by the
conditions of their employment in agencies or clients (2003: 23). In accordance with the
principle of ideal equivalence where the translator remains nobody in particular (Belitt,
1978), I endeavour to represent facts in the way they are presented in the ST and not in
any other manner requested by a client or his/her solicitor or based on my ideological
preferences, in order to produce a TT of the same legal effect as the original. My
presence might, when necessary, be signalled by those intrusions into the official
translations of contracts that are indicated by the use of square brackets, and aim at
further clarification of conceptual voids in order to ensure accuracy in understanding the
exact meaning of the ST by the target reader. Perhaps the need to certify my own work
enhances my self-awareness in pursuit of terminological precision. There are laws and
codes of ethics written for the monitoring of translation as a profession, regulating the
translator's relations with other translators and with clients. These are imposed by the
government (for instance the Polish Ministry of Justice) or by professional translating
associations such as the Polish Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators (TEPIS)
and, in the United Kingdom, the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIL) and the Institute of
Translation and Interpreting (ITI). The Polish Court Translator Code and Translating
Rules for Translating Official and Legal Documents are quite precise and a translation is
presented in appendix 4. I believe that the TEPIS Code is useful as a reference and
justification for my translation choices presented in this paper. CIL and ITI each have
their own Code of Professional Conduct, although neither refers to legal translation in
particular.
CHAPTER 3 THE TRANSLATION PROCESS
Meaning is a plural and contingent relation, not an unchanging unified essence, and therefore a
translation cannot be judged according to mathematics-based concepts of semantic equivalence or
one-to-one correspondence. (Venuti, 1995: 18)
Venutis concept of meaning highlights the complexity of the process of translating legal
terminology between two different legal systems. My translating process and strategy,
for instance, are based on several principles: preserving the information content so that
the TT has the same legal effect as the ST; preserving the communicative function of the
translation, i.e. contracts that can be used in a court of law; determining to whom the text
was addressed in the target culture; taking account of the situational factors of the
particular communication process; and taking account of the legal considerations and
context, e.g. the law governing the document.
The key aspects and problem areas in the translating process of the analysed texts, in
terms of terminology transfer between two different legal systems, are analysed
underneath.
3.1
Polish and English Law Contextual Differences

law remains first and foremost a national phenomenon. Each national or municipal law
constitutes an independent legal system with its own terminological apparatus and underlying
conceptual structure, its own rules of classifications, sources of law, methodological approaches,
and socio-economic principles. (arevi, 2000: 13)
This means that in order to translate the terminology of official contracts written in
different legal traditions accurately it is necessary to understand those traditions since
the main challenge of the legal translator is the incongruency of legal systems (arevi,
2000: 13). Sandrini adds that the translatability of legal texts depends directly on the
relatedness of the legal systems involved in the translation (1999: 17). The Polish legal
system is based on Roman law, i.e. on civil law, and has a civil code, the Civil Code of
Poland. The supreme law in Poland is the Constitution of Poland. The United Kingdom
does not have a written' constitution and its law is made up of four main parts: statute
law, common law, conventions and works of authority. Common law that consists of
rules based on common customs and on judicial (court) decisions has therefore very little
relatedness to Polish civil law that is created by statue.
Polish and English history and tradition have also little in common and thus the
languages of law have been subject to very different influences. English legal terms have
their roots in Latin, French and Norman, Greek, Anglo-Saxon and English traditions.
Polish terminology originates from Latin and mainly from the western subgroup of the
Slavonic languages with some impact from the annexations Poland was subjected to
(Prussian, Austrian and Russian). The vast differences in the histories of Polish and
English law and the associated incongruency of terminology highlight the many
challenges in the official translation of the contracts analysed that are further discussed in
this chapter.
3.1.1 The function of contracts in two different legal systems
Before contracts are translated as official documents that can be used in a court of law, it
should be established how they are defined in the two different legal systems in order to
identify their purpose and consequently its possible impact on the translation.
The
function of the translated contracts is the same in both the civil and the common law
frameworks, i.e. formal instruction without option (Bell, 1991: 205), influencing future
usage and thus having a regulatory or prescriptive character (Treitel, 2004).
The
important consideration for a translator is that contracts are legally binding agreements
that will serve as normative instruments containing rules of conduct concurrently valid in
the TL and that they are interpreted according to the law governing them regardless of the
language in which they are written (arevi, 2000: 68). The above should be reflected
in translational choices in terms of terminology transfer, which will indicate to judges the
legal system according to which the term is to be defined. Polish judges do not know
foreign legal systems and would therefore have to seek a relevant expert advice. In the
proposed translations, this system is English common law.
3.2
ST Reader, TT Reader and Ideal TT Reader
The linguistic principle maintains that communication is effective only if the text author
achieves interaction with the text reader.
According to Sager (1980: 210), legal
translation aims at conveying communication between the subject specialists. A similar

opinion is expressed by arevi, who defines legal language with all its terminology as
special-purpose communication between specialists (2000: 19). The official translations
were prepared on the assumption that the TT reader is a legal professional. However, the
proposed translation choices took into consideration the fact that the aforementioned
targeted legal professional comes from a different legal tradition and that there is
consequently a difference in his/her referential classification.
3.3
Subcategories of legal terminology
Greg Myers proposes that the coining and acceptance of a term is a crucial step in
forming a disciplinary concept (2005: 187). Legal terms are dynamic in nature and their
meaning alters under the influence of changes in the social and cultural environment and
of the development of human knowledge and new technologies. In legal translation, the
technical accuracy of these subject-field notions is an essential prerequisite of good
justice (Alcaraz and Hughes, 2002: 5). The legal terms analysed in the assignment are
symbolic or representational signs that refer to things or ideas found in the world of
reality, physical or mental and they may be one-word units or compound units. The
concepts can be further divided into three subcategories i.e. purely technical legal terms,
semi-technical terms and non-technical legal terminology (Alcaraz and Hughes, 2002:
16). Purely technical words or phrases are restricted to a specific legal framework. The
second subcategory of semi-technical terms consists of vocabulary and phrases from
everyday language that also have additional meaning relating to their legal context. In
terms of translation techniques the semi-technical lexical items are more likely to belong
to the group of near and partial equivalents, with certain cases of non-equivalence,
already analysed (see 2.2.1). The third group of legal terms consists of non-technical
terminology which is the everyday lexis used in legal texts. This section will analyse the
translation process for the three groups of terms and will highlight key aspects and
problem areas in terms of terminology transfer between Polish civil law and English
common law. The analyses are based on the official translations of contracts provided in
appendix 1.
3.3.1
Purely technical terms
Purely technical terms are monosemic, semantically stable and unambiguous and almost
exclusively attached to their legal context. The interpretation of a legal contract largely
depends on the correct translation of these terms. This is because they contain a great
degree of foreign law content. The terms are often highly culture-bound and thus are
easy to distinguish from the rest of the lexical items of any legal text. Alcaraz and
Hughes (2002: 17) refer to this group of legal vocabulary as true terms of art that can
only be adapted or left untranslated. In the absence of a functional equivalent in the
target legal system for system-bound source terms, the translator must select an
alternative equivalent as discussed above in points 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 of this paper.
Several of the purely technical terms and the problems they pose for translation have
already been looked at in chapter 2, i.e. Assured Shorthold Tenancy, Common-law Wife
and Contracting-out Certificate. The following examples further highlight the problem
areas in the official translation of contracts that can be used in a Polish court of law in
terms of terminology transfer between two different legal systems.
Tenants in Common
This technical legal phrase has a unique meaning in English common law. English law
explains tenancy in common as equitable ownership of land by two or more persons
(Dictionary of Law, 2003: 493). A tenant in Polish and English legal understanding is
one who rents from a landlord. In Polish civil law tenant is further divided depending
on the type of rent or lease. One who rents land is dzierawca (tenant) and one who
rents a flat or house is lokator, najemca (tenant). However, neither of these meanings is
applicable here since the contract refers to ownership and not rental.
Bilingual
dictionaries attempt to translate tenants in common as wspdzierawcy (joint tenants

[of land]) (Oga, 2006: 725) that, depending on the context, could sometimes be
applicable but would be incorrect in the translation analysed. Taking into consideration
the fact that the translated text is an official translation that can be used in a court of law
and that in the original text the legal phrase has absolutely nothing to do with tenants in
the sense of a tenant occupying a property owned by a landlord, I used a non-technical
neutral term accompanied by the original term in brackets to indicate to the judge the
legal system according to which the term is to be defined.
ST2:
The Parties agree that they shall hold the beneficial interest in the Home as tenants in
common in equal shares. (6)
TT2:
Niniejsze Strony zgodnie owiadczaj, i s wspwacicielami Domu (tenants in common)

w ktrym posiadaj ten sam udzia interesu beneficyjnego. (6)
BT:
The Parties agree to announce that they co-own the Home (tenants in common) in which they
have the same share of the beneficial interest.
Common law
Common law is a general system of law deriving exclusively from common customs and
court decisions in England. Some scholars i.e. Alcaraz and Hughes suggest that the term
may appear untranslated in the TL, either because it is very well known even to
moderately cultivated jurists or because it is extremely complex technically and therefore
it is easier to understand [it] conceptually than to translate [it]' (2002: 155). This could
be a reason why some Polish/English legal dictionaries avoid providing a translation for
the term i.e. Myrczek (2006). Other researchers i.e. Oga (2006) and Jalan, J. and
Jalan, H. (2004) provide a selection of propositions on how to translate common law
into Polish language.
The most popular propositions are: prawo powszechnie
obowizujce (law in common use), prawo zwyczajowe (w przeciwiestwie do prawa
zawartego w ustawach) (customary law (in contrary to law outlined in statutes)), prawo
cywilne (civil law) and prawo precedensowe (case law).
A translator with a legal background in both Polish and English law is perhaps more
likely to avoid translating 'common law' into prawo cywilne (civil law) without further
clarification, since this could lead to misinterpretation.
The main difference that is
usually drawn between the two systems is that common law draws abstract rules from
specific cases, whereas civil law starts with abstract rules, which judges must then apply
to the various cases before them. The contextual differences between Polish and English
law are analysed further in point 3.1 of this paper.
In the TT4 the term was translated as prawo zwyczjowe (customary law thus not a
civil law that is outlined in statute). The translation was followed by the original term
'common law' in brackets for further clarification. This way the term is easy to read and
understand by a Polish legal professional, yet it maintains its precise original meaning.
ST4:
This guarantee is subject to common and criminal laws of England (13)
TT4:
Niniejsza gwarancja podlega angielskiemu prawu zwyczajowemu (common law) oraz

cryminalnemu (13)
BT:
This guarantee is subject to English customary law (common law) and [English]
criminal law
3.3.2
Semi-technical terms
The semi-technical legal lexis represents perhaps the most problematic group of terms for
a translator between the English and Polish languages, since it can contain terminology
with one or many meanings in the everyday language as well as one or many meanings in
the specialised legal context. The number of semi-technical terms is also constantly
growing, which means that any popular general word might in time acquire a legal
meaning in view of the expansion of the law to meet the developing requirements of
social evolution. The expansion of meaning is not always obvious, especially at its initial
stages. Moreover, semi-technical terms are semantically more complex than the other
two groups of legal terms i.e. technical and non-technical, and their translation is
therefore complicated by their additional and often connotative meaning, the range of
partial synonyms and the context. The following section will provide some examples of
such terms present in the translated texts and the way they were translated for the purpose
of legal contracts that can be used in a Polish court of law.
Guarantee
The word guarantee and the related English word warranty have a number of legal
meanings in both Polish and in English laws. Depending on the context, the English lexis
guarantee often has to be translated by a Polish term other than its literal translation
gwarancja, i.e. zapewnienie (assurance), or additional words have to be added in order
to reflect the original legal guarantee sense in the Polish language, e.g. klauzula
gwarancyjna (guarantee clause), gwarancja jakoci (warranty of quality) etc. The most
popular meaning of the term is attached to responsibility for the quality of the product or
services provided, and in this sense it might be used interchangeably with the term
warranty:
ST5:
This warranty is expressly in lieu of all other warranties or conditions, expressed, implied or
statutory, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for particular purpose.(6)
TT5:
Niniejsza klauzula gwarancyjna w sposb wyrany wycza stosowanie wszelkich innych

warunkw ustanawiajcych odpowiedzialno z tytuu gwarancji jakoci lub postanowie
umownych okrelonych, dorozumianych lub ustawowych, wczajc w to jakkolwiek
dorozumian odpowiedzialno z tytuu gwarancji jakoci na nadanie si do zbycia albo te
nadanie si do celw szczeglnych. (6)
BT:
This guarantee clause expressly excludes the use of all other warranties of quality or
conditions, expressed, implied or statutory, including any implied warranty of quality for
merchantability use or fitness for particular purpose.
The term can also refer to someones guarantee of his/her eligibility or authority and in
this case it has to be translated by a different Polish term to reflect the English legal
meaning:
ST4:
The Guarantor warrants and represents it has full authority to enter into this guarantee. (11)
TT4:
Gwarant zapewnia, e jest w peni uprawniony do zawarcia niniejszej gwarancji zapaty. (11)
BT:
The Guarantor assures that s/he has full authority to enter into this guarantee of payment.
Another English meaning of the word is the liability for a debt where a third party
(Guarantor) provides financial cover for a legal or natural person who takes a loan from a
creditor. In this case, the word usually has to be complemented by an additional word i.e.
gwarancja zapaty (guarantee of repayment) or substituted by another word since its
direct translation would render the TT meaning very imprecise, and in the case analysed,
simply unacceptable:
ST4:
The guarantee hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute (7)
TT4:
Gwarancja zapaty wymagana na mocy niniejszej Umowy jest bezwarunkowa i cakowita (7)
BT:
The guarantee of repayment required by this Agreement is unconditional and absolute
Equity
This term has many English legal meanings that can in turn be translated into many
Polish equivalents of a purely technical, semi-technical and general nature.
When
approaching the translation of the lexical item equity its context has to be analysed first.
The ST2 example refers to general financially viable assets and not to a regulated scheme
of legal principles. This assessment narrows the translation choice to several meanings
i.e. akcja/e zwyke (ordinary share/s), kapita wasny (own capital), fundusze wasne
(own funds), rodki wasne (own means), cz majtku pozostaa po spacie wszystkich
zobowiza oraz dugw (residue), udzia w zysku (share of profit), prawo do dywidendy
(right to dividends). This list is not exhaustive.
ST2:
Any money in any bank or building society account maintained separately by either Party or any
other individual accumulation of equity shall belong to that Party alone. (8)
TT2:
Wszelkie fundusze nalece do oddzielnych kont bankowych lub oszczdnociowej kasy

budowlanej lub wszelka inna indywidualna akumulacja rodkw wasnych nale wycznie do
Strony, ktra je oddzielnie posiada. (8)
BT:
All funds that belong to the separate bank or building society accounts or any other individual
accumulation of own means shall belong exclusively to that Party that owns them separately.
The example above refers to individual (own) general personal economic assets and
therefore, in this case the general term rodki wasne (own means) is, in my opinion, the
most accurate translation choice.
Agreement
In general terms this semi-technical lexical item means accordance in opinion or feeling
or consistency (Collins English Dictionary, 2007) and thus it can have an array of
Polish equivalents that all mean agreement: zgoda, porozumienie, ugoda,
uzgodnienie, zobowizanie and ukad. The selection of the correct Polish equivalent
relies firmly on the context. When the situation relates to ST1 collective agreements in
force directly relating to the terms of the employment, the analysis of parallel corpora
shows that there are two equivalents that should be used: uzgodnienie or
porozumienie. The term uzgodnienie is more appropriate in this case because of its
connotative Polish meaning of result of something:
ST1:
Collective agreement (13)
TT1:
Uzgodnienia zbiorowe (13)
BT:
Collectively agreed resolutions
In a second example of the normal meaning of the term agreement in English, the
correct Polish equivalent is zgoda, because in the Polish language it refers to approval
and thus fits the context of the original message:
ST2:
This Agreement shall terminate by written agreement of the Parties (11)
TT2:
Niniejsza Umowa zostanie wypowiedziana poprzez pisemn zgod Stron (11)
BT:
This Contract shall terminate by written approval of the Parties
The legal meaning of agreement is a less formal term than contract and must therefore
be translated with this connotation in mind in the context of the ST. It has to be
mentioned that the most widely recognised legal translation of the word agreement into
Polish is the term porozumienie, which has a different connotation and often relates to
an agreement made between parties with the aim of finishing some conflict, making a
business or political deal etc.
ST2:
Cohabitation Agreement (1)
TT2:
Umowa wsplnego poycia (1)
BT:
Cohabitation Contract
ST3:
Rental Agreement (1)
TT3:
Umowa czynszowa (1)
BT:
Rental Contract
Claim
The general sense of this semi-technical term is the assertion of a right or demand. In
common law claim means a demand for a remedy or assertion of a right, especially the
right to take a particular case to court (Dictionary of Law, 2003: 83). In Polish civil law
the term has a broader meaning and might relate to situations that can be resolved in court
or outside it. The translator thus has to select a Polish equivalent with the same legal
effect from a selection of words with their different semantic fields depending on the
context, i.e. roszczenie (claim/pleas), danie (demand), uprawnienie (right), skarga
(complain), zaalenie (complaint), pretensja (claim), utrzymywanie e (maintaining
that),
zapewnienie
(assurance),
wierzytelno (claim/active debt).
owiadczenie
(declaration/statement)
and
In the example below the most appropriate
equivalent is uprawnionej (rightfully claiming) because the term claim is preceded by

the word rightfully, which adds particular significance to the term in Polish legal
understanding.
ST3
The Landlord agrees that the Tenant may live in the Property without unreasonable interruption
from the Landlord or any person rightfully claiming under or in trust for the Landlord. (27)
TT3
Waciciel Lokalu zawiadcza, e niniejszy Najemca moe zamieszkiwa w niniejszej

Nieruchomoci bez nieuzasadnionych przeszkodze ze strony Waciciela Lokalu lub
jakiejkolwiek osoby legalnie uprawnionej bd w powiernictwie Waciciela Lokalu. (27)
BT:
The Landlord confirms that the Tenant may live in the Property without unreasonable interruption
from the Landlord or any person acting within legal rights or in trust for the Landlord.
Damages
The word damages has direct one-to-one equivalent in the Polish word szkody. The
legal meaning of the term is, in this context, translated into Polish as odszkodowanie
(compensation).
ST1:
The Employer hereby shall be entitled to apply for an injunction to prevent such disclosure or use
and to seek any other remedy including without limitation the recovery of damages in the case of
such disclosure or use. (16)
TT1:
Pracodawca niniejszym upowaniony jest do ubiegania si o nakaz sdowy zabezpieczajcy

przed niniejszym ujawnianiem lub uycia bd zabiegania o wszelki inny sposb wczywszy
otrzymanie nieograniczonego odszkodowania w wypadku niniejszego ujawnienia lub naduycia.
(16)
BT:
The Employer is entitled to apply for an injunction to prevent such disclosure or use and to seek
any other remedy including unlimited compensation in the case of such disclosure or abuse.
3.3.3
Non-technical terms
These terms are general words that have maintained their everyday meaning without
acquiring legal import but regularly occur in legal texts. They are usually easier to
understand than to translate because they often are contextually bound. The following
examples of such lexical items will illustrate some key aspects and problem areas in
terms of non-technical terminology translation.
Section
ST1:
section 1(1)(a) Employment Rights Act 1996. (4) [section 1 subsection 1 paragraph a]
TT1:
artykuu 1 paragrafu 1 litery (a) Ustawy o Prawach Pracowniczych 1996. (4)
Section might be a problematic term. First of all, there is a Polish homophone, in the
word sekcja, that has the outward appearance of an equivalent but is a false friend.
Sekcja indeed means section in BT but in Polish relates to a part of something, which
is relevant to the context and thus it could be very misleading.
The correct legal
translation into Polish in the case of the ST1 contract is paragraf. It could also have
been translated as rozdzia (division) if the contract was very lengthy or artyku
(clause), if it was used in other legal documents, acts or statutes. The Polish word
paragraf could be confused with its English false friend paragraph that in turn is
another division of Anglo-Saxon legal texts that is of lesser importance than section.
Symbols marking non-technical terms in Polish and English texts could also be very
misleading. The sign in English refers to section and in Polish to paragraf, which,
as mentioned above, could be confused with the English paragraph denoted by the
sign.
Polish translators must be able to distinguish between the English legal
nomenclature used to denote textual divisions and sub-divisions, including those

contained in the different styles of contracts analysed here, in order to use the correct
terminology in their translation.
Confidentiality
Another example of an everyday word often used in legal documents that imposes
stylistic and contextual restraints is confidentiality. The word has a direct one-to-one
equivalent in the Polish poufno and this may often be used as an acceptable
equivalent:
ST1:
After the termination of this Agreement the Employee shall not disclose or use any of the
Employers trade secrets or any other information which is of sufficiently high degree of
confidentiality to amount to a trade secret. (16)
TT1:
Po rozwizaniu niniejszej umowy pracownik nie ujawni lub naduyje jakichkolwiek tajemnic
dziaalnoci gospodarczej pracodawcy lub wszelkiej innej informacji wystarczajco poufnej by
przyczyni si do ustanowienia tajemnicy dziaalnoci gospodarczej.
BT:
After the unfastening of this Agreement the Employee shall not disclose or abuse any of the
Employers trade secrets or any other information which is sufficiently confidential to amount to
a trade secret.
Consent
Consent is defined as deliberate or implied affirmation, compliance with a course of
proposed action (Dictionary of Law, 2003:106). It is therefore congruent with the
general definition of the term that refers to giving permission, approving or agreeing to
do something (Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 2002: 303).
Depending on the
context the term must be translated into one of a range of general Polish terms that
regularly occur in legal texts to mean permission or approval.
ST2:
This Agreement shall be varied only by written consent of the Parties. (11)
TT2:
Niniejsza Umowa zostanie zmieniona wycznie poprzez pisemne pozwolenie Stron. (11)
BT:
This Agreement will be varied only by written permission of the Parties.
ST3:
consent not to be withheld unreasonably. (18)
TT3:
nie naley bez podstawnie odmwi udzielenia pozwolenia. (18)
BT:
Giving permission should not be refused without basis.
Dispute
In English the term has several meanings and mainly refers to debate, argument, quarrel,
calling into question and/or opposition. In Polish it also has a range of meanings but in a
legal context it is usually limited to general connotations: spr (dispute), zakwestionowa
(argue, oppose). If the problem causing the dispute is not rectified by the responding
party then it becomes a legal dispute to be resolved by the Court, as per the example
below. In this context the non-technical term has only one Polish equivalent i.e. spr
prawny (legal dispute).
ST4:
This guarantee is subject to English law and the parties agree to submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the English courts in connection with any dispute hereunder. (13)
TT4:
Niniejsza gwarancja podlega prawu angielskiemu i strony potwierdzaj oddanie wszelkich

sporw prawnych powstaych na mocy niniejszej Umowy wycznej jurysdykcji angielskich
sdw. (13)
BT:
This guarantee is subject to English law and the parties agree to submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the English courts in connection with any legal dispute under this Agreement.
Termination
Termination means bringing something to an end and in a general context it is cognate
with the Polish term terminacja. The English terms meaning is much broader than that
of the Polish term as it might refer to assassination, abortion, end of employment, etc.
The Polish language has a more specific vocabulary to describe similar concepts. The
literal translation of the word 'termination' is therefore rarely used and as shown below, it
is strictly related to the context of the text or discourse.
In the context of the termination of employment when one party exercises its right to
terminate the contract for any reason, the correct Polish term is the semi-technical
wypowiedzenie (give notice).
ST1:
The Employer may terminate this Agreement (15)
TT1:
Pracodawca moe wypowiedzie niniejsz Umow (15)
BT:
The Employer may give notice to this Agreement
However, when the termination refers to the cessation of an agreement or contract when
both parties amicably choose to finish it, the correct Polish non-technical term used
should be the neutral word rozwizanie (lit. unfasten or undo).
ST2:
VARIATION OR TERMINATION (of contract) (11)
TT2:
ZMIANA LUB ROZWIZANIE UMOWY (11)
BT:
VARIATION OR UNFASTENING (of contract) (11)
3.4
Latin terms
A significant part of Polish and the English legislation was set down in the Middle Ages
when Latin was the lingua franca throughout Europe for legal professionals and scholars.
This does not mean, however, that Latin terms used in legal contracts always have the
same meaning in each language. This is because they have over the centuries been
subject to their unique national influences. Therefore, according to arevi: instead of
serving as a reliable source for alternative equivalents, the use of Latin phrases by
lawyers generally makes the translators task more difficult (2000: 264). The decision
relating to the translation of the type of terms found in the contracts that can be used in a
court of law must be made in accordance with the accepted standard practice in Poland,
i.e. the target legal system. In Poland, official translators are authorised to translate
between certain specific languages. If the English contract includes a term or terms in
Latin, that term or terms should be kept unchanged in the translation. This instruction is
specifically stipulated in the Polish Court Translator Code 2000 that can be viewed at the
TEPIS website at <http://www.tepis.org.pl/biuletyn/40/tepis.htm>, which has been
translated in the appendix 4, and it is as follows:
The use of one target language in the entire documents translation, i.e. the language of the
chosen country or one of the countries within the language zone, with other language inclusions if
this was the originals author intention;' 26 (1)
This means that the term must firstly be explained by a lawyer from the relevant legal
system. The translator might, if s/he so wishes and if s/he is qualified so to do, add a
definition of what the term means in Common law as an annotation. Otherwise, the
translator must draw the matter to the attention of the client and leave it to him/her to
seek further clarification.
Based on the above information I have translated the Latinisms in the texts analysed as
follows:
ST2:
Children the alieni juris. (10)
TT2:
Dzieci alieni juris. (1) (10)
BT:
Children - the alieni juris.
(1) Dotyczy osoby niepenoletniej oraz nie w peni uprawnionej (describing the status of a person who is
not of full age and capacity).
ST1:
The Employer may terminate this Agreement ex parte. (15)
TT1:
Pracodawca moe wypowiedzie niniejsz Umow ex parte (2). (15)
BT:
The Employer may pronounce this Agreement ex parte.
(2) Latinism odpowiednik angielskiego bez powiadomienia (Latin term that refers to English without
notice).
As shown above I have provided annotations as an extra aid to point the interpreting
lawyers in the right direction although this is not an official requirement.
In the official translations of contracts from English into Polish it is also permissible to
insert the following phrase and thus avoid any responsibility for the Latin words: The
original document contains third-language expressions which have not been translated.
3.5
Terms of French and Norman origins
The presence of French or Norman terms in English contracts and also in other English
legal texts is due to the Norman invasion of 1066 and the subsequent French influence.
The rules for dealing with these terms in official translations of contracts are essentially
the same as the ones used to resolve the problems involved in translating Latinisms,
already discussed in point 3.4.
Hence, the following translation of the term chose, which could be confused with the
past tense of choose:
ST3:
and any other chose (31)
TT3:
oraz wszelkiego innego chose(1) (31)
BT:
and any other chose(1)
(1) (franc.) przedmiot, rzecz (French for thing).
3.6
Archaic Anglo-Saxon Terms
The Germanic invaders, who spoke Anglo-Saxon, left their stamp on English history in
the form of many terms and expressions they introduced that have survived in todays
English legal language. In legal contracts and other English legal texts references are
constantly being made to very old texts, such as judicial decisions, wills or venerable
text-book definitions, which are quoted in support of legal arguments about the
continuing validity of rules, doctrine or precedents. Many of these terms belong to the
subcategory of purely technical legal terminology already discussed in point 3.3. This is,
however, not always the case. Some of the terms are examples of everyday vocabulary
also present in English legal texts where their meaning might change depending on the
context. One example of an archaic term of this kind is the word sound. Unsound is
an adjective that in the context of the ST1 means unhealthy and thus in TT1 the term
was changed to schorzenie (illness).
ST1:
if the Employee become of unsound mind (15)
TT1:
jeeli Pracownik zachoruje na schorzenie umysowe (15)
BT:
if the Employee becomes mentally ill
The term sounding in the context of damages means in the ST4 an action brought by an
unpaid creditor for damages rather than simply to recover the debt.
ST4:
an action sounding in damages (6)
TT4:
postpowanie sdowe w celu odszkodowania (6)
BT:
court proceedings in order to receive compensation
The archaic Anglo-Saxon terms are very problematic for the Polish translator and indeed,
they often are also very difficult for native English speakers to understand. Hence the
Plain English Campaigns repeated efforts to simplify legal language in the face of
consistent resistance from lawyers who maintain that:
technical accuracy is an essential prerequisite of good justice and that if linguistic precision is
watered down to suit the demands of an uncomprehending majority, legal certainty will all but
disappear. (Alcaraz and Hughes, 2002: 5)
3.7
Terminological errors
Another problem area in legal translation is posed by obvious or suspected terminological

errors in the legal ST. One example is presented in the Employment Contract that results
in a lack of terminological coherence of the ST1 analysed below. arevi proposes
(2000: 118) that:
it has become a golden rule of legal translation that translators must refrain from correcting errors
or improving the language of authenticated translations having the force of law.
In contrast to arevis view, Asensio (2003: 102) suggests that errors with respect to
facts should be treated with common sense. By this he understands that on some
occasions they should be translated literally but on the other occasions this would not
contribute anything positive to the translated text and they should be corrected or
improved (2003: 63). Thus, errors such as the one described below should, in my
opinion, be corrected when translating official documents.
However, both views are useful depending on the type of error and the individual context
of the authenticated translation. On one occasion in the ST1, I have amended with
annotation a source of potential misunderstanding in the TT in the full realisation that any
terminological correction in official legal texts is very unwelcome. In this case the
Contractor (ST1) was changed to Pracownik (TT1) (the Employee).
The word
contractor (wykonawca) that is a person who undertakes a contract especially to

provide materials, conduct building operations, etc, (Concise Oxford English Dictionary,
2002: 312) is explained above in point 2.2.1 of this paper. Since the entire ST clearly
refers to an employee employed on a permanent contract in a professional capacity and
also repeatedly uses the term employee when referring to the subject of the ST1, I have
broken the aforementioned golden rule and replaced kontrahent (contractor) with
pracownik (employee) providing appropriate annotation.
In this way, the entire
document becomes coherent in terms of the position set out.

3.8
Terminological vagueness
Translation of legal terminology covers two opposite extremes: the importance of

achieving precision in translating technical terms, and the preservation of a number of
indefinite and vague non-technical concepts that regularly occur in legal texts and aim at
increasing their elasticity. Ambiguity in legal documents, referred to as syntactic
ambiguity (Holland & Webb, 2003: 115), is usually deliberate (Lewison, 2004). In the
contracts analysed in this paper, it can be used to reach a compromise or to create
uncertainties that one of the parties might subsequently seek to exploit (Doonan, 1995:
95-96).
The problem of translating ambiguity leads in turn to the question of
interpretation. This puts the legal translator into a difficult position since it is generally
emphasised that the translator must avoid interpreting legal uncertainty because this is a
task for legal professionals. Therefore, Germar (1995a: 143) suggests that it is very
important for legal translators to be trained to interpret legal texts. The issue of whether
and how an official translator would benefit from legal training when dealing with
terminological problems in contracts has been analysed in greater detail in a survey
carried out among experienced translators working with the language pair Polish/English.
The survey results are presented in Chapter 4.
The examples of vague terms analysed below refer to certain standards of conduct
relevant to legal practice in England that often have no meaning in Polish legal tradition.
My aim therefore is to point out that they sometimes have to be interpreted by the
translator on the basis of legal research and/or consultation with a lawyer in order to
make the text logical, often preventing misinterpretation by the target reader. When
possible, as in some of the examples presented, the interpretation must be left to a legal
professional.
Reasonable
The word reasonable means rozsdny in Polish. This is a very common term in
English contracts whereas it is unknown in Polish civil law and would thus require
further clarification.
This means that a word other than rozsdny, e.g. justified,
appropriate, rightful etc., will usually have to be used in the official translation:
ST3:
reasonable costs reasonably incurred (25)
TT3:
stosowne koszta uzasadnione zajciem (25)
BT:
appropriate cost justified by the occurrence
In Polish law the parties to the contract would have to agree between themselves what
standards of practice they mutually understand to be reasonable and/or unreasonable
and include the definitions in the agreement. Otherwise, the translator has to make sure
that the judge / lawyer who interprets the official translation knows that the word
reasonable refers to English legal understanding and must therefore be interpreted in
this light.
The best interest of...
In the best interest of is a very ambiguous phrase that might mean many things even in
English. In analysing the ST2 example below, the Polish lawyer should seek clarification
as to whether the idea of what is the best for a child in English common law is the same
as in Polish civil law. In this particular context of the Cohabitation Agreement, the view
of the Polish legal tradition, immersed as it is in the Catholic social context, is that it
would be in the best interest of the child not to be born outside a marriage. The phrase
might therefore have a slightly broader meaning than the English meaning that refers to
acting in order to protect the minor in general. After analysing the context of this case, I
left its interpretation to the Polish lawyer and translated the phrase literally.
ST2:
'it is in the Childrens best interest that the legal guardian shall remain in the Home with
them...'
TT2:
'w najlepszym interesie Dzieci ley aby opiekun ustawowy pozosta z nimi w Domu...'
BT:
'it lies in the Childrens best interest that the legal guardian shall remain in the Home with
them...'
In a tenant-like manner
The example above refers not only to differences between civil and common legal
systems but also to cultural differences in Poland and in England. In Poland 85 percent
of the population lived for 50 years as tenants in governmental flats and each tenant could
do as s/he wished e.g. redecorate, or have pets or an unlimited number of flat shares etc.
For some, in particular the older Polish generation, this perception of a tenant-like
manner still applies. Tenants in England are usually more restricted regarding what they
are expected or allowed to do in their rented properties. Since the contract is based on
English law, I clarified the matter by adding English and the foreign tenant would be
probably advised by his/her agent to carry out additional research on this subject.
ST3
Tenant is responsible by virtue of his duty to use the Property in a tenant-like manner (31)
TT3
Lokator jest odpowiedzialny na mocy swego obowizku do korzystania z nieruchomoci w

sposb stosowny dla lokatora [w Anglii] (31)
BT
Tenant is responsible by virtue of his duty to use the Property in a [English] tenant-like manner
Fair
Another term often used in English legal contracts is the word fair. Its meaning
depending on the context can be rzetelnie (honestly / properly) or sprawiedliwie
(honestly / fair).
Since the use of word fair is unknown in Polish legal practice, the author of the ST
would be requested by a legal professional to define precisely what exactly s/he
understood by it.
ST3:
based on fair assessment. (36)
TT3:
w oparciu o uczciwe oszacowanie. (36)
BT:
based on honest assessment.
Best practice
This phrase does not appear in Polish legal language and its literal translation has no
meaning in Polish civil law. It can however be interpreted in such a way as to represent
the same meaning in Polish legal tradition, retaining the same degree of ambiguity:
ST1:
represent the companys best practice (18)
TT1:
reprezentuj sposb postpowania uznany przez niniejsz spk za najwaciwszy (18)
BT:
represent a way of conduct that has been agreed by the company as the most appropriate
3.9
Names and entities
English business entities and names of institutions and legal acts also come into the
category of legal terminology that might cause problems in translation between two
different legal systems.
3.9.1
Business entities
The legal classification of business entities appears in all corporate contracts. Differences
in common law and civil law result in several degrees of terminological incongruency
between Polish and English business entities, varying from almost identical concepts to
near and partial equivalents and to terms with no comparable counterparts in the TL.
Over recent decades, the Polish national business infrastructure has been changing from
communist-type state ownership to privately-run enterprise and company law is
consequently subject to ongoing changes. The translator must be aware of all of these
legislative developments as they incur ongoing terminological changes. The examples
given below highlight some key aspects and problem areas in the translation of this group
of legal terms.
Company
It should be emphasised above all that the semantic field of company is organised
differently under the English common law and Polish civil law systems. The main
difference is that English law makes a finer distinction - between unlimited and limited
companies, companies limited by guarantee and by shares and private and public
companies. By contrast, all Polish companies are limited and are limited only by shares;
however, their breakdown into Spka z ograniczon odpowiedzialnoci (Limited
Liability Company) and Spka Akcyjna (Public Limited Company / Public Joint Stock
Company) is not based on the criterion of whether they are private or public. Thus, the
boundaries of the TL and SL concepts will inevitably differ.
Another difference is that the English system specifically divides entities into two types
using two separate terms: individual trader/ partnership corresponding to the Polish
spka osobowa (partnership company) and company spka kapitaowa (capital
company). This indicates that the Polish term spka does not have an equivalent at the
same level of specificity, i.e. Polish uses a more general term while English has more
specific lexemes for the same subject.
Public Limited Company
ST1, 2
GlobalMedia plc
TT1, 2
GlobalMedia Publiczna S.A.
BT:
GlobalMedia Public Joint - Stock Company
The English entity Public Limited Company (plc) shows a relatively high degree of
conceptual similarity to the Polish business entity spka akcyjna abbreviated to S.A.
[joint-stock company].
Since the main difference between the two entities is that the S.A. does not have to be a
public company while the plc is, I have added. publiczna [public] before S.A and this
precisely reflects the meaning of the SL term plc.
Limited Company
Limited or Ltd companies are private companies limited by shares or guarantees in the
United Kingdom. The entity is highly comparable to the Polish business entity Spka z
ograniczon odpowiedzialnoci (Sp. z o.o.), however the Polish Sp. z o.o. is not always
private. Consequently, it can be used as a functional equivalent when word private is
added.
ST4:
Siemens Ltd (3)
TT4:
Siemens Prywatna Sp. z o.o. (3)
BT:
Siemens Private Limited Liability Company
3.9.2
Names of English institutions and legal acts
Names of English institutions and legal acts are usually translated literally to facilitate
their identification (arevi, 2000: 259).
Official translations of international
institutional terms are available from the terminological departments of the particular
organisations and some professional organisations for legal translators such as TEPIS. As
a rule, a translator should normally use the official or generally accepted translation of
any institutional term (Newmark, 2005: 89), even when the translator believes that s/he
can produce a better one.
The original name should be provided in brackets in order to indicate the system the
name originates from and for the purpose of further clarification.
ST5:
DVLA (5)
TT5:
Agencji Prawa Jazdy i Licencji Pojazdw (DVLA) (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
(DVLA)) (5)
BT:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency DVLA.
ST1:
Employment Rights Act 1996 (4)
TT1:
Ustawy o Prawach Pracowniczych 1996 (Employment Rights Act 1996) (4).
BT:
Employment Rights Act 1996.
CHAPTER 4 SURVEY
Several scholars, e.g. Germar (1995a: 143) and Rayar (1990: 643), suggest that it is
imperative for legal translators to be legally trained in order to interpret legal texts. Legal
as well as linguistic qualifications are required from all Polish legal translators at the
European Court of Justice. The main aim of the survey contained in appendix 3 was
therefore to elicit and present opinions, drawn from the practice of experienced legal
translators working with the language pair Polish/English, as to whether and/or how legal
training is important when it comes to the translation of contracts that can be used in a
court of law. The survey conclusions also assess to what degree, in the opinion of the
translators, it is possible for a translated contract to have the same legal effect as the
original and proposes the most accurate form of terminology translation. The results
summarise the changes that have influenced official legal translators of contracts working
with the aforementioned language pair.
According to the 57 replies received, the most favoured way of resolving problems of
incongruent legal terminology in official translations of contracts (translators were
allowed to select between several methods) are: functional equivalents 100%, followed
by neutral terms 98%, descriptive paraphrases 95% and annotations - 35%. All the
translators who use annotations stressed that they provide them only when necessary
unless their clients require them to do otherwise. This means that experienced translators
believe that the best way to translate the terminology of contracts is to choose a method
that aims at incorporating all the SL information into the main body of the translated
document.
None of the translators found legal training or access to it not useful for dealing with
terminological issues. Experienced translators of legal contracts therefore agree that they
benefit or would benefit from it, with 67% considering it to be necessary.
The largest proportion (49%) of the translators claimed that perfection exists, i.e. that it is
possible for the translated contracts to have the same legal effect as the originals. This
group included 39% (out of the 49%) with no legal training and 10% (out of the 49%)
with legal training. The second-largest group (47%) were translators who believed that,
on average, it is almost possible for translated contracts to have an identical legal effect to
the original. Of this group, 44% (of the 47%) had legal training and 3% (of the 47%) did
not. The translators with training in both Polish and English law all belonged to this
group. This might mean that a legal background helps translators to understand the
complexity of legal contracts and thus increases their sensitivity to their legal content.
This in turn, in my opinion, is likely to increase the quality of translation. The second
groups higher degree of self-criticism might be misleading. In fact, this group has more
representatives with legal experience and thus it might on average provide translations of
contracts of more accurate legal effect than the first group, but make a less superficial
judgement about their quality. However, this would have to be confirmed by analysing a
number of official translations of contracts done by both groups.
As an additional observation 14% of the translators surveyed pointed out that literal,
word-for-word translation is sometimes required from them by their clients when
translating contracts that can be used in a court of law. This observation is relevant to the
paper because in this case the emphasis on translators comprehension of legal points
decreases since there is no need for interpretation.
In fact the logic of the entire
translated contract suffers, making it harder to understand for a legal professional from
the other legal system. Should the demand for this type of translation continue, then legal
training for translators might not be considered worth investing in since it would not add
any value to the quality of translation. The translators opinions suggest that requests for
literal translations seem to be a decreasing phenomenon with some translators refusing to
undertake such assignments.
Social and political changes - globalisation, the ongoing expansion of the European
Union, the influx of foreign companies into domestic markets, international corporation
mergers or franchises, increased mobility of employees and the progress and
development of information technology where the main language is English - are already
influencing the legal translation professionals working in the Polish/English language
pair. This is particularly true of the official translations of contracts since this type of
document is exchanged on an everyday basis and thus perhaps represents the most
requested type of official translations. All these changes call for greater professionalism
in the field. There are already a number of relatively new international examinations,
mentioned by translators in the survey, that confirm the level of English legal language
skills for translators specialising in legal translation i.e. the International Test of Legal
English Skills (TOLES) or the International Legal English Certificate (ILEC). The
requirement that a legal translator should have this type of qualification and/or certificate
is becoming more and more popular among employers and clients but for the present, as
indicated by the results of the survey, sound experience in the legal translation of
contracts and thus equally close acquaintance with the legal cultures of both the ST and
the TT are the prevailing criteria.
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS
When translating from one legal system into another the differences between those
systems have to be taken into consideration. The level of equivalence of terms depends
on the extent of relatedness of the legal systems and not of the languages involved.
The study highlights some key aspects and problem areas in the official translations of
legal contracts that can be used in a Polish court, in terms of terminology transfer
between two different legal systems. The main issues that the study draws attention to in
this respect, together with the practical approaches that were taken to resolve them, are:
different categories of terminological equivalence in the translation of legal terms,
different types of legal terminology, terminological errors, terminological vagueness and
the associated problem of interpretation as well as sources for authoritative legal
terminology such as the translation of names of English institutions and legal acts.
Based on the opinion of 96 per cent of the experienced translators questioned in the
survey, and the results of the analysis of examples from the proposed translations, it has
been demonstrated that official translations of contracts that can be used in a court of law
may have the same or nearly the same legal effect as the originals. This is possible
despite the conceptual differences between common and civil laws. In theory, the most
accurate official translations of legal contracts in terms of legal terminology transfer
would be the ones in which nothing was hidden from the reader, all problems were
elaborated on and all defects of the original were noted. The analysis confirmed that in
practice, the translator is required to make a decision and avoid lengthy explanatory notes
by incorporating all the information into the main body of the translated contract. The
most successful way to achieve this in terms of legal terminology transfer appears,
according to the results of this study, to be an official translation based on functional
equivalents.
As shown in this paper, legal language is formalised at lexical, syntactic, textual and
generic levels. Legal terms are not emotionally charged in English contracts and their
official translations into Polish. The essential meaning of many terms is inherently
connected with the tradition of the legal culture they originate from and with their
context, and thus the terminology always has to be assessed separately in relation to
varying circumstances. Therefore, a translator who deals with the aforementioned type of
translation would benefit from at least a certain degree of legal training, ideally in both
source and target languages, in order to resolve terminological issues. The survey shows
that trends in legal translation and the opinions of experienced professionals confirm this
view.
This is particularly important when translating and, if necessary, also when
interpreting the undefined statements, incongruent legal terminology and semi-technical

terms of which practical examples have been analysed in this study.
In official
translations of contracts any such interpretation must be approached with caution since,
as highlighted in this assignment, for the translator, the purpose of interpretation is to
decide on the closest possible equivalence in the target language, while for the judge it is
to match up the resulting propositions against the definitions established in existing law
(Alcaraz and Hughes, 2002: 24).
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APPENDIX I: Contracts and translations

The text below are my translations of legal contracts and agreements.
All personal information provided in all of the documents is fictional.
For the purpose of this assignment all annotations have been written in English language.
ST 1. Employment Contract
Source text English

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
Target text Polish

UMOWA O PRAC
1.
THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE the 15th day NINIEJSZ UMOW zawarto w dniu 15
of August 2007
sierpnia 2007 roku
2.
BETWEEN GlobalMedia plc with

registered office at 234 Regent Street,
London WL13 5MD (the Employer); and
POMIDZY GlobalMedia Publiczna S.A.

z siedzib zarejestrowan przy 234 Regent
Street, Londyn WL13 5MD (zwan dalej
(Pracodawc); oraz
3.
Dr John Smith of 19 Dixon Road, London

SL13 9JN (the Contractor)
Doktorem Johnem Smithem zamieszkaym

przy 19 Dixon Road, Londyn SL13 9JN
(zwanym dalej Pracownikiem) (1)
4.
This document sets out the terms and

conditions of employment which are
required to be given to the Employee under
section 1(1)(a) Employment Rights Act
1996 and which apply at the date hereof.
Niniejszy dokument przedstawia stosunki i

warunki zatrudnienia Pracownika na
podstawie artykuu 1 paragrafu 1 litery (a)
Ustawy o Prawach Pracowniczych 1996
(Employment Rights Act 1996), ktre
wchodz w ycie w dniu zawarcia niniejszej
umowy.
5.
COMMENCEMENT AND JOB TITLE.

The Employer agrees to employ the
Employee from the 20th of August year
2007 in the capacity of Financial Director
at GlobalMedia plc. No employment with a
previous employer shall be counted as part
of the Employees period of continuous
employment. The Employees duties may
from time to time be reasonably modified as
necessary to meet the needs of the
Employers business.
DATA ROZPOCZCIA ZATRUDNIENIA I

TYTU SUBOWY. Pracodawca wyraa
zgod na zatrudnienie Pracownika od 20
sierpnia 2007 roku na pozycji dyrektora
finansw (oraz czonka Rady Dyrektorw) w
GlobalMedia Publiczna S.A. Do biecego
okresu zatrudnienia Pracownika nie wlicza
si okresu przepracowanego dla
poprzedniego pracodawcy. Obowizki
Pracownika mog by w kadym momencie,
z wymogu potrzeb przedsibiorstwa
Pracodawcy, odpowiednio zmienione.
6.
BASE SALARY AND BENEFITS. The

Employer shall pay the Employee a base
salary of 185,000 per year by equal
monthly instalments in arrears. The
Employees Base Salary shall be reviewed
WYNAGRODZENIE ZASADNICZE I
WIADCZENIA. Pracodawca
zobowizany jest to pacenia Pracownikowi
wynagrodzenia zasadniczego w wysokoci
185000 GBP na rok w rwnych, zalegych
on an annual basis by the Compensation
Committee in the discretion of the Board of
Directors. The base salary will be subject
to statutory deductions and will comprise a
number of elements which may include:
(A) voluntary pension contribution

(B) cafeteria benefits which the Employee
elected to receive as a component of his
base salary that include:
(a) provision of car;
(b) provision of mobile phone;
(c) provision of laptop
(d) provision of private medical
insurance for the Employee and his
family members; and
e) seasonal football ticket every
year.
(C) Fringe Benefits Tax which is payable
on the non-cash benefits.
ratach w odstpach miesicznych.

Wynagrodzenie zasadnicze Pracownika jest
w odstpach rocznych przedmiotem analizy
Komisji do Spraw Wynagrodze wedug
uznania Rady Dyrektorw. Od
wynagrodzenia zasadniczego odjte zostan
ustawowe potrcenia i obejmowa ono
bdzie czci skadowe do ktrych wlicza
si mog:
(A) nieobowizkowe skadki emerytalne;
(B) wiadczenia niepienine wybrane przez
Pracownika jako cz skadowa jego
wynagrodzenia zasadniczego, obejmujce:
(a) udostpnienie samochodu;
(b) udostpnienie telefonu
komrkowego;
(c) udostpnienie komputera
przenonego;
(d) udostpnienie prywatnego
ubezpieczenia zdrowotnego dla
pracownika i czonkw jego rodziny;
oraz
(e) coroczny bilet sezonowy na
mecze piki nonej.
(C) podatek od wiadcze niepieninych.
7.
ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to the said

Base Salary, the Financial Director shall be
awarded, for each fiscal year ending during
the Employment Period, an Annual Bonus
in cash, determined as a percentage of
annual Base Salary.
PREMIA ROCZNA. Dodatkowo do

rzeczonego wynagrodzenia zasadniczego
przyznana jest dyrektorowi finansowemu,
pod koniec roku fiskalnego w czasie okresu
zatrudnienia, premia roczna w rodkach
pieninych wyznaczona przez procent
rocznego wynagrodzenia zasadniczego.
8.
SPECIAL BONUS. In recognition and

appreciation of Employees performance,
the company may pay the Employee a
special discretionary bonus in the amount of
up to 30,000 in one instalment to be
included with the first regular payroll in
August during the Employment Period.
The payment shall be subject to standard
payroll practices and be subject to
applicable withholding taxes.
PREMIA OKOLICZNOCIOWA. W
uznaniu i w podzikowaniu za wyniki pracy
Pracownika, przedsibiorstwo zapaci
Pracownikowi specjaln premi uznaniow
w wysokoci do 30000 GBP patn
jednorazowo w sierpniu w czasie okresu
zatrudnienia, wczon do najbliszej
wypaty wynagrodzenia zasadniczego.
Niniejsza patno jest podporzdkowana
standardowej praktyce wypaty wynagrodze
i podlega obowizujcemu podatkowi
pobieranego zaliczkowo.
HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT. The

Employees normal hours of employment
shall be 9am to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays
during which the Employee may take up to
GODZINY PRACY. Podstawowe godziny

pracy Pracownika s pomidzy godzin 9:00
a 18:00 od poniedziaku do pitku w czasie
ktrych Pracownik moe wzi a do
one hour for lunch between the hours of
12pm to 2pm, and the Employee may from
time to time be required to work such
additional hours as is reasonable to meet the
requirements of the Employers business at
no additional payment.
godziny przerw na popoudniowy posiek

pomidzy godzin 12 a 14 oraz w kadym
momencie moe by wymagana od
Pracownika praca w dodatkowych
godzinach, bez dodatkowego wynagrodzenia,
z wymogu potrzeb przedsibiorstwa
Pracodawcy.
10
During the term of the employment, the

Employee shall be expected to devote his
full working time and attention to the
business of GlobalMedia plc, and he shall
not render services to any other business
without the prior approval of the Board of
Directors or, directly or indirectly, engage
or participate in any business outside the
operations of GlobalMedia plc.
W czasie trwania zatrudnienia Pracownik jest

zobowizany powici cay czas i uwag
dziaalnoci gospodarczej GlobalMedia
Publiczna S.A. i nie moe wiadczy usug
na rzecz jakiegokolwiek innego
przedsibiorstwa bez uprzedniej zgody Rady
Dyrektorw oraz bezporednio lub porednio
angaowa si lub uczestniczy w
jakimkolwiek przedsibiorstwie poza
dziaalnoci GlobalMedia Publiczna S.A.
11
HOLIDAYS. The Employee shall be

entitled to twenty five days holiday per
calendar year at full pay in addition to the
normal public holidays. Holidays must be
taken at a time that is convenient to the
Employer and no more than two weeks
holiday may be taken at any one time.
URLOP. Pracownikowi nale si

dwadziecia pi dni penopatnego urlopu
na rok kalendarzowy w dodatku do zwykych
wit pastwowych. Urlop musi by
pobrany w czasie dogodnym dla Pracodawcy
i jednorazowo nie mona wykorzysta urlopu
duszego ni dwa tygodnie.
12. SICKNESS. The Employee shall be paid

normal remuneration during sickness
absence for a maximum of 26 weeks in any
period of twelve months provided that the
Employee provides the Employer with a
medical certificate in the case of absence of
more that seven consecutive days. Such
remuneration shall be less the amount of
any Statutory Sick Pay or Social Security
sickness benefits to which the Employee
may be entitled.
NIEOBECNO W PRACY Z POWODU

CHOROBY. Pracownik otrzyma
podstawow pac za czas nieobecnoci w
pracy z powodu choroby a do 26 tygodni w
kadym dwunastomiesicznym okresie pod
warunkiem przedstawienia Pracodawcy
zawiadczenia lekarskiego w wypadku
nieobecnoci duszej ni siedem kolejnych
dni. Od niniejszego wynagrodzenia odjta
zostanie suma jakiegokolwiek ustawowego
zasiku chorobowego lub zasiku
chorobowego z tytuu ubezpieczenia
spoecznego, ktre mog nalee si
Pracownikowi.
13. COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS. There are

no collective agreements in force directly
relating to the terms of the Employee
employment.
UZGODNIENIA ZBIOROWE. Nie ma

obowizujcych uzgodnie zbiorowych
bezporednio nawizujcych do warunkw
zatrudnienia Pracownika.
14. PENSION. The Employee shall be entitled

to join the Employers pension scheme the
details of which are set out in the
Employers booklet entitled GlobalMedia
WIADCZENIE EMERYTALNE.
Pracownik jest upowaniony do przyczania
si do systemu emerytalnego Pracodawcy,
ktrego szczegy s przedoone w
Pension Scheme which is available on
request. A contracting-out certificate under
the Pension Schemes Act 1993 is in force in
respect of this employment.
15. TERMINATION. The Employer may

terminate this Agreement by giving written
notice to the Employee as follows:
(a) with not less than one weeks
notice during the first two years
of continuous employment;
(b) with not less than one weeks
notice for each full year of
continuous employment after
the first two years until the
twelfth year of continuous
employment; and
(c) with not less than twelve
weeks notice after twelve years
of continuous employment.
(d) with immediate effect but
payment in lieu of notice, if the
Employee become of unsound
mind.
The Employer may terminate this
Agreement ex parte or payment in
lieu of notice in case of serious or
persistent misconduct such as to
cause a major breach of the
Employers disciplinary rules.
The Employee may terminate this
Agreement by one weeks written notice to
the Employer.
broszurze pracodawcy zatytuowanej

System Emerytalny GlobalMedia
dostpnej na yczenie. W niniejszym
zatrudnieniu obowizuje zawiadczenie o
odczeniu si drog umowy zgodnie z
Ustaw o Systemach Emerytalnych 1993.
WYPOWIEDZENIE. Pracodawca moe
wypowiedzie niniejsz Umow poprzez
pisemne powiadomienie Pracownika w
nastpujcy sposb:
(a) z co najmniej tygodniowym
powiadomieniem w czasie
pierwszych w peni
przepracowanych dwch lat;
(b) z co najmniej tygodniowym
powiadomieniem za kady w
peni przepracowany rok, po
upywie pierwszych dwch lat,
a do w peni przepracowanego
dwunastego roku; oraz
(c) z co najmniej dwunasto
tygodniowym powiadomieniem,
po upywie w peni
przepracowanych dwunastu lat.
(d) z natychmiastowym skutkiem z
zapat w miejsce
powiadomienia jeeli pracownik
zachoruje na schorzenie
umysowe.
Pracodawca moe wypowiedzie
niniejsz umow ex parte (2) oraz bez
zapaty w miejsce powiadomienia w
wypadku powanych i staych
wykrocze subowych takich jak
spowodowanie istotnych narusze
zasad dyscypliny pracodawcy.
Pracownik musi wypowiedzie niniejsz
umow z tygodniowym powiadomieniem
pracodawcy na pimie.
CONFIDENTIALITY. The Employee is

16. aware that during his employment he may
be party to confidential information
concerning the Employer and the
ZACHOWANIE POUFNOCI.
Pracownikowi wiadomo jest, e w czasie
zatrudnienia moe mie dostp do poufnych
informacji dotyczcych pracodawcy i jego
Employers business. The Employee shall
not during the term of this employment
disclose or allow the disclosure of any
confidential information (except in the
proper course of his employment). After
the termination of this Agreement the
Employee shall not disclose or use any of
the Employers trade secrets or any other
information which is of sufficiently high
degree of confidentiality to amount to a
trade secret. The Employer hereby shall be
entitled to apply for an injunction to prevent
such disclosure or use and to seek any other
remedy including without limitation the
recovery of damages in the case of such
disclosure or use.
NON-COMPETITION. For period of two

17. years after the termination of this
Agreement the Employee shall not solicit or
seek business from any customers or clients
of the Employer who were customers or
clients thereof at any time during the six
months immediately preceding the
termination hereof and therewith the
Employee had material dealings.
DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE.
18. The Employers disciplinary rules and the
grievance and appeal procedure in
connection with these rules represent the
companys best practice and they are set out
in the Employers booklet entitled The
Guidelines which is attached hereto.
NOTICES. All communications including

19. notices required to be given hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be sent either by
personal service or first class post to the
Parties respected addresses.
SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this
20. Agreement should be held to be invalid it
shall to that extent be severed and the
remaining shall continue to have full force
przedsibiorstwa. Pracownik w okresie

zatrudnienia nie ujawni lub nie dopuci do
ujawnienia wszelkiej poufnej informacji (z
wyjtkiem, kiedy jest to tok postpowania
waciwy dla jego zatrudnienia). Po
rozwizaniu niniejszej umowy Pracownik nie
ujawni lub naduyje jakichkolwiek tajemnic
dziaalnoci gospodarczej Pracodawcy lub
wszelkiej innej informacji wystarczajco
poufnej by przyczyni si do ustanowienia
tajemnicy dziaalnoci gospodarczej.
Pracodawca niniejszym upowaniony jest do
ubiegania si o nakaz sdowy
zabezpieczajcy przed niniejszym
ujawnianiem lub uycia bd zabiegania o
wszelki inny sposb wczywszy otrzymanie
nieograniczonego odszkodowania w
wypadku niniejszego ujawnienia lub
naduycia.
ZAKAZ KONKURENCJI. Przez okres
dwch lat po wypowiedzeniu niniejszej
umowy, Pracownik nie bdzie stara si
pozyska, lub nakania do dziaalnoci
handlowej, jakichkolwiek klientw
Pracodawcy, ktrzy byli w okresie szeciu
miesicy bezporednio poprzedzajcym
wypowiedzenie niniejszej Umowy, klientami
Pracodawcy oraz z ktrymi niniejszy
Pracownik prowadzi transakcje materialne.
ZASADY DYSCYPLINY I SKARG.
Przepisy dyscyplinarne Pracodawcy wraz z
nawizujcymi do nich procedurami
rozpoznawania skarg i apelacji reprezentuj
sposb postpowania uznany przez niniejsz
spk za najwaciwszy i s przedoone w
broszurze pracodawcy zatytuowanej
Wytyczne doczonej do niniejszej
Umowy.
POWIADOMIENIA. Wszelka
korespondencja, wczajc powiadomienia,
wymagana na mocy niniejszej umowy,
powinna by prowadzona na pimie i
dorczona bd osobicie bd za pomoc
poczty priorytetowej na podane adresy stron.
ROZDZIELNA INTERPRETACJA
POSTANOWIE UMOWY. Jeeli
ktrekolwiek z postanowie niniejszej
and effect.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement

21. contains the entire Agreement between the
Parties and supersedes all prior
arrangements and understandings whether
written or oral with respect to the subject
matter hereof and may not be varied except
in writing signed by both parties hereto.
GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall
22. be construed in accordance with the laws of
England and Wales and shall be subject to
the exclusive jurisdiction of the English
courts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties
23. hereto have signed this Agreement the day
and year first above written.
SIGNED
24. Signed by or on behalf of the Employer:
in the presence of witness:
Name:
Address:
DATED:
Occupation
Umowy zostanie uznane za niewane bdzie

ono w takim zakresie oddzielone a
pozostao pozostawa bdzie w penej
mocy prawnej.
CAO UMOWY. Niniejsza Umowa
obejmuje cao Umowy zawartej pomidzy
jej stronami i zastpuje wszelkie
wczeniejsze uzgodnienia i porozumienia,
czy to pisemne czy ustne, nawizujce do
istoty tematu tej Umowy i moe ona jedynie
by zmieniona pisemnie z podpisami obu
stron niniejszej Umowy.
PRAWO WACIWE. Niniejsza Umowa
przygotowana jest na podstawie prawa Anglii
i Wali i podlega wycznej jurysdykcji
angielskich Sdw.
NA DOWD POWYSZEGO strony niniejszej
Umowy podpisay j w dniu wskazanym w

postanowieniach wstpnych.
PODPISANE
Podpisane przez lub z ramienia Pracodawcy:
w obecnoci (wiadka):
Nazwisko i imi:
Adres
Z DAT
Zawd
Signed by or on behalf of the Employee:

Podpisane przez lub z ramienia pracownika
in the presence of witness:
Name:
Address:
DATED:
Occupation
w obecnoci (wiadka):
Nazwisko i imi:
Adres
Z DAT
Zawd
The word contractor translated into Polish is
kontrahent or wykonawca. Kontrahent or
wykonawca is one of the parties who
undertakes a contact (The New Dictionary of the
Polish Language, 2003: 353) but of a different
kind than the permanent employment contract
described in the ST. Kontrahent often refers to
one off contracts with a set deadline and
clearly defined purpose i.e. construction of a
building, professional advice etc. According to
(1)
the Dictionary of Law (2003: 38) word
wykonawca means in English executor.
Following Polish legal language in the set context
the word should be replaced by another word
pracownik (Encyclopaedia of [Polish]Law,
2004: 757) which in English means employee.
Word contractor has also similar connotations in
English language: a person who undertakes a
contract especially to provide materials, conduct
building operations, etc. (Concise Oxford
English Dictionary, 2002: 312) as opposed to an
employee a person who works under the
direction and control of another (the employer) in
return for a wage or salary (Dictionary of Law,
2003: 170). Since the entire ST clearly refers to
employee employed on a permanent contract in
a professional capacity and also repetitively uses
the term employee when referring to Dr. John
Smith, I have replaced kontrahent (contractor)
with pracownik (employee).
(2). (
ac.) bez powiadomienia. [Without notice]
ST 2. Co-habitation Agreement
Source text English
1.
Target text Polish
COHABITATION AGREEMENT
(for Unmarried Partners)
UMOWA WSPLNEGO POYCIA

(dla Wspyjcych bez lubu)
2.
THIS DEED OF AGREEMENT is made

the 29 day of May year 2001
NINIEJSZY AKT PRAWNY UMOWY

zawarto w dniu 29 maja 2001 roku
3.
BETWEEN:
POMIDZY:
(1)
Mr John Paul Smith of 23 Preston
Road, Kent KN9 20NT (the First Party);
and
(1) Panem John Paul Smith zamieszkaym

na 23 Preston Road, Kent KN9 20NT
(Strona Pierwsza); oraz
(2)
Ms Jane Pauline Harrison of 23
Preston Road, Kent KN9 20NT (the
Second Party).
(2) Pani Jane Pauline Harrison

zamieszka na 23 Preston Road, Kent KN9
20NT (Strona Druga)
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THAT:
ZWAYWSZY, E:
(a)
(a)
4.
The Parties live together as a

common-law wife and a commonlaw husband and wish to enter this
Agreement to set out their rights
and responsibilities towards each
Niniejsze Strony zamieszkuj razem

jako wspyjca bez lubu ona
wedug prawa zwyczajowego w
Anglii (Common-law wife) oraz
wspyjcy bez lubu m
other.
5.
6.
7.
8.
wedug prawa zwyczajowego w

Anglii (Common-law husband) i
pragn zawrze niniejsz Umow aby
ustali swoje wzajemne prawa i
obowizki.
(b)
The Parties intend that this

Agreement will be legally binding
on them.
(b) Niniejsze Strony wyraziy zgod aby

niniejsza Umowa bya wobec nich
prawnie obowizujca.
(c)
Each Party enters this Agreement

freely and voluntarily and without
coercion or pressure from the other
Party or anyone else.
(c) Kada ze Stron zawiera niniejsz

Umow dobrowolnie, samowolnie oraz
bez przymusu bd presji drugiej Strony
lub kogokolwiek innego
1.
OWNERSHIP OF THE HOME
1.
PRAWO WASNOCI DOMU
The Parties live at the address given above

(the Home) which is a property
purchased in their joint names.
Strony zamieszkuj pod adresem podanym

powyej (Dom), ktry jest posiadoci
zakupion wsplnie pod ich obydwoma
nazwiskami.
2.
2. PODZIA DOCHODU ZE
SPRZEDAY DOMU
DIVISION OF PROCEEDS OF
SALE OF THE HOME
The Parties agree that they shall hold the

beneficial interest in the Home as tenants in
common in equal shares.
Niniejsze Strony zgodnie owiadczaj, i

wspwadaj one Domem (tenants in
common) w ktrym posiadaj ten sam udzia
interesu beneficyjnego.
3.
3. WYPOSAENIE ORAZ DOBYTEK

OSOBISTY
CONTENTS AND PERSONAL

BELONGINGS
Any household and personal items shall be

owned by the Party who acquired it alone
(whether by inheritance, gift, purchase or
otherwise).
Wszelkie przedmioty gospodarstwa

domowego i osobiste nale do Strony, ktra
je nabya w pojedynk (niezalenie od tego
czy w spadku, prezencie, zakupie czy w inny
sposb).
4.
4.
BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY

ACCOUNTS
It is agreed that the Parties shall maintain a

joint bank account (The Joint Account).
The Parties shall pay to the Joint Account
sums sufficient to meet their agreed share
of common expenses (referred to in clause
5). The money in the Joint Account shall
belong to the Parties in equal shares
regardless of the actual sums which either
KONTA BANKOWE BD
OSZCZDNOCIOWEJ KASY
BUDOWLANEJ
Strony zgadzaj si na posiadanie wsplnego

konta bankowego (Wsplne Konto).
Strony wpaca bd do niniejszego
Wsplnego Konta kwoty pienine
wystarczajce do pokrycia ich czci
wsplnych wydatkw (przedstawionych w
artykule 5). Fundusze na Wsplnym Koncie
nale do Stron w rwnej czci, niezalenie
of them may have paid into or withdrawn

from the Joint Account. Any money in any
bank or building society account
maintained separately by either Party
or any other individual accumulation of
equity shall belong to that Party alone.
od tego jak kwot pienin wpacia lub

wypacia kada ze Stron do niniejszego
Wsplnego Konta. Wszelkie fundusze
nalece do oddzielnych kont bankowych lub
oszczdnociowej kasy budowlanej lub
wszelka inna indywidualna akumulacja
rodkw wasnych nale wycznie do
Strony, ktra je oddzielnie posiada.
5.
5.
COMMON EXPENSES
Common household expenditure including

mortgage repayments, mortgage-linked
endowment premiums, ground rent, service
charges, rental payments, buildings and
household insurance premiums, council or
other local taxes, charges for water rates,
gas, electricity, telephone, television licence
and rental, food, decoration and repairs
shall be shared equally by the Parties.
6.
Wsplne wydatki domowe wczajc spaty

kredytu hipotecznego, skadki hipoteki
subwencyjnej, czynsz dzierawczy, opata za
obsug, opaty czynszowe, skadki
ubezpieczenia budynku i gospodarstwa
domowego, podatek miejski (Council Tax)
bd inne lokalne podatki, opaty za wod,
gaz, elektryczno, telefon, abonament
telewizyjny wraz z wynajmem, ywno,
koszta wystroju i remontu wntrz oraz
napraw musz by rwno podzielone
pomidzy Stronami.
CHILDREN
10
6.
Should the said cohabiting Partners have a
child or children (Children) together and
subsequently separate it has been decided
that it is in the Childrens best interest that
the legal guardian shall remain in the Home
with the Children and the other parent will
assign in trust for his/her Children the alieni
juris his or her entire share of the former
Home.
7.
WSPLNE WYDATKI
DZIECI
W razie gdy rzeczone wspyjce Strony

bd miay razem dziecko lub dzieci
(Dzieci) a nastpnie si rozejd,
zdecydowano i w najlepszym interesie
Dzieci ley aby opiekun ustawowy pozosta z
nimi w Domu a pozostay rodzic przekae
jego / jej ca cz byego Domu pod
zarzd powierniczy na rzecz swoich
Dzieci alieni juris (1).
VARIATION OR TERMINATION
11
7.
This Agreement shall be varied only by
written consent of the Parties. This
Agreement shall terminate by written
agreement of the Parties or upon the death
or marriage of either one of them or upon
the Parties separation without Children for
a period exceeding three months following
which the Home shall be valued and either
sold and the proceeds divided or the Party
leaving compensated approximately in
accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement.
ZMIANA LUB ROZWIZANIE

UMOWY
Niniejsza Umowa zostanie zmieniona

wycznie poprzez pisemne pozwolenie
Stron. Niniejsza Umowa zostanie
rozwizana poprzez pisemn zgod Stron lub
w razie mierci albo maestwa
jakiejkolwiek ze Stron lub w razie
bezdzietnego rozstania si na okres
przekraczajcy trzy miesice po czym
niniejszy Dom zostanie wyceniony i albo
sprzedany a dochd podzielony bd Strona
opuszczajca zostanie w przyblieniu
zrekompensowana w nawizaniu do
warunkw niniejszej Umowy.
SIGNED AS A DEED
12.
PODPISANO JAKO DOKUMENT

PRAWNY
By the said_________________________
Name_____________________________
In the presence of
Signature__________________________
Name_____________________________
Address___________________________
Przez rzekomego______________________
Imi i nazwisko _______________________
W obecnoci
Podpis_______________________________
Imi i nazwisko _______________________
Adres________________________________
(1) Okrela osob niepenoletni oraz nie w peni
uprawnion.
[Describing the status of a person who is not of
full age and capacity.]
ST 3. Tenancy Agreement
Source text - English
Target Text - Polish
1.
RENTAL AGREEMENT: For a Furnished

Flat on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy
UMOWA CZYNSZOWA: dotyczy Umowy

Najmu Zabezpieczajcej Prawo Wasnoci
Waciciela w Wielkiej Brytanii (Assured
Shorthold Tenancy) (1) umeblowanego
lokalu mieszkalnego
2.
The PROPERTY: Apartment 3, The Royals

Grove, Chester CR15 9NL
NIERUCHOMO: Apartament 3, The

Royals Grove, Chester CR15 9NL
3.
The LANDLORD: Mrs Yvette Joan Smith

of 38 Henderson Road, Chester CR3 7DB
WACICIEL NIERUCHOMOCI: Pani

Yvette Joan Smith zamieszkaa przy 38
Henderson Road, Chester CR3 7DB
4.
The TENANT: Dr. Grace Elsa Clish
LOKATOR: Dr. Grace Elsa Clish
5.
The TERM: Twelve (12) months beginning

on the 19 February 2005
TERMIN: Dwanacie (12) miesicy od

dnia 19 lutego 2005
6.
The RENT: 550.00 per month payable in

advance on the 19th day of each month
CZYNSZ: 550,00 na miesic patne z

gry, 19go dnia kadego miesica
7.
The DEPOSIT: 550.00
KAUCJA: 550,00
8.
The INVENTORY: means the list of the

Landlords possessions at the Property
which has been signed by the Landlord and
INWENTARZ: to lista mienia Waciciela

Nieruchomoci pozostajca w
Nieruchomoci, ktra zostaa podpisana
the Tennant and attached hereto in the
Appendix 1.
przez Waciciela Nieruchomoci i

Lokatora i jest zaczona do niniejszej
Umowy jako Zacznik 1.
DATED___________________
SIGNED__________________
(The Landlord)
DATA________________________
PODPIS_______________________
(Waciciel Nieruchomoci)
DATED___________________
SIGNED__________________
(The Tenant)
DATA________________________
PODPIS_______________________
(Lokator)
10.
THIS TENANCY AGREEMENT

comprises the particulars detailed above and
the terms and conditions printed underneath
whereby the Property is hereby let by the
Landlord and taken by the Tenant for the
Term and the Rent.
NINIEJSZA UMOWA NAJMU skada si

ze szczegw podanych powyej oraz z
warunkw wydrukowanych poniej na
podstawie ktrych niniejsza Nieruchomo
jest wynajta przez niniejszego Waciciela
Nieruchomoci niniejszemu Lokatorowi na
niniejszy Termin za niniejszy Czynsz.
11.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
WARUNKI I POSTANOWIENIA
UMOWNE
12.
This Agreement is intended to create an

Assured Shorthold Tenancy as defined in
the Housing Act 1988, as amended by the
Housing Act 1996, and the provisions for
the recovery of possessions by the Landlord
in that Act apply accordingly. The Tenant
understands that the Landlord will be
entitled to recover possession of the
Property at the end of the Term.
Niniejsza Umowa ma na celu ustanowienie

Umowy Najmu Zabezpieczajcej Prawo
Wasnoci Waciciela (1) zdefiniowanej w
Ustawie o Gospodarce Mieszkaniowej
1988 (Housing Act 1988) a poprawionej
przez Ustaw o Gospodarce Mieszkaniowej
1996 (Housing Act 1996)
w nawizaniu do ktrej potwierdza si
zabezpieczenia na odzyskanie mienia przez
Waciciela Nieruchomoci. Niniejszy
Lokator potwierdza, i Waciciel
Nieruchomoci odzyska mienie
Nieruchomoci po zakoczeniu niniejszego
Terminu.
13.
14.
1. The Tenants obligations:

1.1
To pay the Rent at the times and in
the manner aforesaid.
1.2
To pay all charges in respect of any
electric, gas, water, telephonic,
televisual and other services used at
or supplied to the Property and
Council Tax or any similar property
tax that might be charged in
addition to or replacement of it
during the Term.
1. Zobowizania Lokatora:
1.1. Paci Czynsz na czas i w sposb
okrelony powyej.
1.2 Paci wszelkie opaty za zuyt lub
doprowadzon do Nieruchomoci
elektryczno, gaz, wod, telefon i
telewizj i inne usugi skorzystane lub
dostarczone do Nieruchomoci oraz
podatek miejski (Council Tax)lub
wszelki inny podatek od
nieruchomoci ktry moe by
pobrany dodatkowo bd w jego
9.
15.
16.
1.3
17.
1.4
18.
1.5
Not make any alternations or

additions to the Property nor
without the Landlords prior written
consent (consent not to be withheld
unreasonably) do any redecoration
or painting to the Property.
19.
1.6
Not do anything on or at the

Property which:
1.6.1 may be or become a
nuisance or annoyance to
any other occupiers of the
Property or owners of
adjoining or nearby
premises
1.6.2 is illegal or immoral
1.6.3 may in any way affect the
validity of the insurance of
the Property and the items
listed on the Inventory or
cause an increase in the
premium payable by the
Landlord.
23.
1.7
Not without the Landlords prior

consent (consent not to be withheld
unreasonably) allow or keep any pet
or any kind of animal at the
Property.
24.
1.8
Not use or occupy the Property in

any way whatsoever other than as
private residence.
20.
21.
22.
To keep the items on the Inventory

and the interior of the Property in a
good and clean state and condition
and not damage or injure the
Property or the items on the
Inventory (fair wear and tear
expected).
To yield up the Property and the
items on the Inventory at the end of
the Term in the same clean state and
condition it was in at the beginning
of the Term.
miejsce w czasie niniejszego Terminu.

1.3 Utrzymywa przedmioty Inwentarza
oraz wntrza Nieruchomoci w
dobrym i czystym stanie oraz formie i
nie niszczy lub uszkodzi niniejszej
Nieruchomoci lub przedmiotw
Inwentarza (oczekuje si normalnego
zuycia).
1.4 Zwrci niniejsz Nieruchomo wraz
z przedmiotami Inwentarza po
zakoczeniu Terminu w takim samym
czystym stanie oraz formie w jakim
byy one na pocztku niniejszego
Terminu.
1.5 Nie dokonywa adnych poprawek
lub ulepsze do niniejszej
Nieruchomoci jak rwnie nie
dokonywa adnych remontw czy
malowania Nieruchomoci bez
wczeniejszej pisemnej zgody
Waciciela Nieruchomoci (nie naley
bez podstawnie odmwi udzielenia
pozwolenia).
1.6 Nie robi nic na lub w Nieruchomoci
co:
1.6.1 moe sta si niedogodne
lub dokuczliwe dla wszelkich
innych mieszkacw niniejszej
Nieruchomoci lub wacicieli
przylegajcych lub pobliskich
dobytkw
1.6.2 jest nielegalne lub niemoralne
1.6.3 moe w jakikolwiek sposb
wpyn na wano
ubezpieczenia niniejszej
Nieruchomoci oraz
przedmiotw Inwentarza lub
spowodowa podwyk
skadki patnej przez
Waciciela Nieruchomoci.
1.7 Nie trzyma lub pozwoli na
trzymanie w niniejszej
Nieruchomoci, bez wczeniejszej
zgody Waciciela Nieruchomoci
(brak zgody powinien by
uzasadniony), adnych zwierzt
domowych lub wszelkich innych.
1.8 Nie uywa lub zamieszkiwa
niniejszej Nieruchomoci w aden
inny sposb anieli jako prywatne
miejsce zamieszkania.
25.
1.9
26.
2. The Landlord obligations:
27.
2.1
The Landlord agrees that the Tenant

may live in the Property without
unreasonable interruption from the
Landlord or any person rightfully
claiming under or in trust for the
Landlord.
28.
2.2
To insure the Property and the items

listed on the Inventory and use all
reasonable efforts to arrange for any
damage caused by an insured risk to
be remedied as soon as possible and
to provide a copy of the insurance
policy to the Tenant.
29.
2.3
But the Landlord will not be

required to:
2.3.1 carry out works for which
the Tennant is responsible
by virtue of his duty to use
the Property in a tenant-like
manner
30.
31.
32.
33.
To pay the Landlords reasonable

costs reasonably incurred as a result
of any breaches by the Tennant of
his obligations under this
Agreement.
2.3.2
reinstate the Property and

any other chose in the case
of damage or destruction if
the insurers refuse to pay
out the insurance money
due to anything the Tenant
has done or failed to do.
3. Ending this Agreement:

3.1
The tenant cannot normally end this
Agreement before the end of the
fixed Term unless agreed in writing
1.9 Zapaci Wacicielowi

Nieruchomoci stosowne koszta
uzasadnione zajciem w rezultacie
naruszenia przez Lokatora jego
zobowiza zawartych w niniejszej
Umowie.
2. Zobowizania Waciciela
Nieruchomoci:
2.1 Waciciel Nieruchomoci
zawiadcza, i niniejszy Lokator moe
zamieszkiwa w niniejszej
Nieruchomoci bez nieuzasadnionych
przeszkd ze strony Waciciela
Nieruchomoci lub jakiejkolwiek
osoby legalnie uprawnionej bd w
powiernictwie tego Waciciela.
2.2 Ubezpieczy Nieruchomo wraz z
wszystkimi przedmiotami Inwentarza
oraz naleycie postara si o
pokrycie, jak szybko to tylko
moliwe, wszelkich szkd
spowodowanych przez ubezpieczone
ryzyko oraz przedoy kopi polisy
ubezpieczeniowej Lokatorowi.
2.3
Waciciel Nieruchomoci nie jest

zobowizany do:
2.3.1 dokonywania prac za ktre
Lokator jest odpowiedzialny
na mocy swego obowizku
do korzystania z
Nieruchomoci w sposb
stosowny dla lokatora [w
Anglii].
2.3.2 przywrcenia
Nieruchomoci oraz
wszelkiego innego chore (2)
do normalnego stanu w
wypadku szkody czy
zniszczenia, kiedy
ubezpieczeniodawcy
odmwili wypaty
ubezpieczenia w wyniku
jakiegokolwiek
postpowania Lokatora.
3. Zakoczenie niniejszej Umowy:

3.1 Lokator, na og nie moe zakoczy
niniejszej Umowy przed
zakoczeniem okrelonego Terminu
by the Landlord.
chyba, e Waciciel pisemnie

wyrazi na to zgod.
34.
3.2.1
If the Tennant stays on after the end

of the fixed Term, her tenancy will
continue but will run from month to
month (a periodic tenancy). This
periodic tenancy can be ended by
the Tenant giving at least one
months notice to the Landlord.
3.2.1 Jeeli Lokator pozostanie na miejscu

po zakoczeniu okrelonego
Terminu, jej najem bdzie
kontynuowany z miesica na miesic
(okresowy najem). Niniejszy
okresowy najem moe zosta
zakoczony przez Lokatora z co
najmniej miesicznym
zawiadomieniem Waciciela
Nieruchomoci.
35.
36.
4. The Deposit
4.1
The Deposit will be held by the
Landlord and will be refunded to
the Tenant at the end of the Term
(however it ends) at the forwarding
address provided to the Landlord
based on fair assessment and less
any reasonable deductions properly
made by the Landlord to cover any
reasonable costs incurred or losses
caused to her by any breaches of the
obligations in her Agreement by the
Tenant.
37.
4.2
4. Kaucja
4.1 Kaucja bdzie przechowywana
przez Waciciela Nieruchomoci i
w oparciu o uczciwe oszacowanie,
zostanie zwrcona Lokatorowi po
zakoczeniu Terminu
(zakoczonego w jakikolwiek
sposb) na adres podany
Wacicielowi Nieruchomoci
zredukowana o stosowne kwoty
odpowiednio wypacone przez
Waciciela Nieruchomoci na
pokrycie wszelkich stosownych
kosztw bd strat spowodowanych
zajciem w rezultacie naruszenia
przez Lokatora jego zobowiza
zawartych w niniejszej Umowie.
4.2 Kaucja Lokatora nie podlega
oprocentowaniu.
38.
39.
5. Other provisions
5.1
The Landlord hereby notifies the
Tenant under Section 48 of the
Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 that
any notices (including notices in
proceeding) should be served upon
the Landlord at the address first
above stated.
40.
5.2
No interest will be paid to the

Tenant in respect of the Deposit
money.
For stamp duty purposes, the

Landlord and the Tenant confirm
that there is no previous agreement
5. Inne zapewnienia
5.1 Waciciel Nieruchomoci na mocy
niniejszej Umowy zawiadamia
Lokatora i na mocy
Artykuu 48 Ustawy o Warunkach
Dzierawy 1987 (the Landlord and
Tenant Act 1987), i wszelkie
zawiadomienia (wczajc
zawiadomienia o postpowaniu
sdowym) powinny zosta dorczone
Wacicielowi Nieruchomoci na
adres podany w postanowieniach
wstpnych.
5.2 Ze wzgldu na opat stemplow
Waciciel Nieruchomoci oraz
Lokator potwierdzaj i nie istnieje
to which this Agreement gives
effect.
wczeniejsza umowa na ktr

niniejsza Umowa ma wpyw.
41.
DATED___________________
SIGNED__________________
(The Landlord)
DATA________________________
PODPIS_______________________
(Waciciel Nieruchomoci)
42.
DATED___________________
SIGNED__________________
(The Tenant)
DATA________________________
PODPIS_______________________
(Lokator)
(1) Umowa
Najmu Zabezpieczajca Prawo

Wasnoci Waciciela w Wielkiej Brytanii
(the Assured Shorthold Tenancy), provides
means whereby the landlord could be certain of
his right to repossess his property. It is based
on English Law i.e. The Housing Act 1988 as
amended by the Housing Act 1996. The
property can be let for any period of time but in
the Agreement it is a fixed term for 12 months.
The legal concept of AST is unknown to Polish
law and could be easily misinterpreted as a
Tenancy Agreement for a Short Period of Time.
(franc.) przedmiotu, rzeczy. [(French0 for
things]
(2)
ST 4. Guarantee Agreement
Source text - English

Guarantee Agreement
Target Text - Polish

Umowa Gwarantujca Zapat
1.
THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE the 14th day

of May 2006
NINIEJSZ UMOW zawarto w dniu 14

maja 2006 roku
2.
BETWEEN:
POMIDZY:
3.
(1)
Mr Roman Bielski of 234 Regent
Street, London WL13 5MD (the
Guarantor); and
(1) Panem Romanem Bielskim

zamieszkalym przy 234 Regent Street,
Londyn WL13 5MD (Gwarant); oraz
4.
(2)
Bank plc with registerd office at ul.
Makowiecka 19, 00 850 Warsaw, Poland
(the Creditor).
(2) Bank Publiczna S.A. z siedzib

zarejestrowan przy ul. Makowiecka 19, 00
850 Warszawa, Polska (Wierzyciel)
5.
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
NINIEJSZYM UZGADNIA si co
nastpuje:
6.
1. As an inducement for the Creditor, from

time to time to extend credit to Mrs Ewa
Bielska (the Customer), currently
employed as a high school teacher, it is
1. Jako porczenie dla Wierzyciela aby w

kadym momencie przeduy kredyt dla
Pani Ewy Bielskiej (Dunik), obecnie
hereby agreed that the Guarantor does
hereby guarantee to the Creditor the prompt,
punctual and full payment of all monies
now or hereinafter due to the Creditor from
the Customer and the Guarantor
understands that the Creditor might decide
upon an action sounding in damages against
the Guarantor should the above not be
fulfilled.
7.
8.
9.
10.
2. Until termination, this guarantee is

unlimited as to amount or duration and shall
remain in full force and effect
notwithstanding any extension,
compromise, adjustment, forbearance,
waiver, release or discharge of any party or
Guarantor, or release in whole or in part of
any security granted for the said
indebtedness or compromise or adjustment
thereto, and the Guarantor waives all
notices thereto.
3. The guarantee hereunder shall be

unconditional and absolute and the
Guarantor waives all rights of subrogation
and set-off until all sums due under this
guarantee are fully paid.
4. In the event payments due under this

guarantee are not paid punctually upon
demand, then the Guarantor shall pay all
reasonable costs and solicitors fees
necessary for the collection and
enforcement of this guarantee.
5. This guarantee may be terminated by the
Guarantor upon fourteen (14) days written
notice of termination being delivered to the
Creditor.
zatrudnionej na pozycji nauczycielki w

szkole redniej, niniejszym uzgadnia si, e
Gwarant gwarantuje t Umow
Wierzycielowi bezzwoczn, punktualn
oraz pen spat wszelkich nalenoci
winnych teraz jak te pniej podanych
poniej Wierzycielowi przez Dunika.
Gwarant rozumie, e w razie nie
wypenienia powyszego Wierzyciel moe
rozpocz przeciwko niemu postpowanie
sdowe w celu odszkodowania.
2. A do czasu wypowiedzenia Umowy,
niniejsza gwarancja zapaty nie jest
ograniczona w stosunku do wysokoci bd
okresu trwania i pozostaje w penej mocy
oraz skutku wbrew wszelkim
przedueniom, ustpstwom,
uzgodnieniom, powstrzymywaniu si od
egzekwowania prawa, zrzeczeniom,
zwolnieniom lub odstpieniom przez
jakkolwiek ze stron albo Gwaranta, lub
zaniechaniem caoci bd czci
wszelkiego przyznanego zabezpieczenia na
rzecz rzekomego zaduenia lub ustpstw
bd poprawek do niniejszego zaduenia i
zrzeczeniu si przez Gwaranta udzielenia
wszelkich powiadomie.
3. Gwarancja zapaty wymagana na mocy
niniejszej Umowy jest bezwarunkowa i
cakowita i niniejszy Gwarant zrzeka si
wszelkich praw do subrogacji oraz
rekompensat a do czasu, kiedy wszelkie
zalegoci pienine nalene na mocy
niniejszej gwarancji zapaty s w peni
spacone.
4. W wypadku gdy zalegoci pienine na
mocy niniejszej gwarancji zapaty nie s
punktualnie spacone w ramach wymogu,
Gwarant pokryje wszelkie uzasadnione
koszta oraz opaty prawnicze niezbdne do
poboru i wyegzekwowania niniejszej
gwarancji zapaty.
5. Niniejsza gwarancja zapaty moe by
wypowiedziana przez Gwaranta pod
warunkiem czternastodniowego (14)
pisemnego powiadomienia dostarczonego
Wierzycielowi.
11.
6. The Guarantor warrants and represents it

has full authority to enter into this
guarantee.
12.
7. This guarantee shall be binding upon and

inure to the benefit of the parties, their
successors and assigns.
13.
8. This guarantee is subject to common and

criminal laws of England and the parties
agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction
of the English courts in connection with any
dispute hereunder.
14.
IN WITNESS OF WHICH the parties have

signed this agreement the day and year first
above written.
15.
Signed by or on behalf of the Guarantor
6. Gwarant zapewnia, e jest w peni

uprawniony do zawarcia niniejszej
gwarancji zapaty.
7. Niniejsza gwarancja zapaty obowizuje
oraz stanowi korzy na rzecz stron, ich
nastpcom i cesjonariuszom.
8. Niniejsza gwarancja podlega
angielskiemu prawu zwyczajowemu
(common law) oraz cryminalnemu i strony
potwierdzaj oddanie wszelkich sporw
prawnych powstaych na mocy niniejszej
Umowy wycznej jurysdykcji angielskich
sdw.
NA DOWD POWYSZEGO strony
niniejszej umowy podpisay j w dniu
wskazanym w postanowieniach wstpnych.
Podpisane przez bd w imieniu Gwaranta

in presence of (witness)
W obecnoci (wiadka)
Name____________________________
Address__________________________
Occupation________________________
16.
Imi i nazwisko ___________________

Adres__________________________
Zawd__________________________
Signed by or on behalf of the Creditor

Podpisane przez bd w imieniu Wierzyciela
in presence of (witness)
Name____________________________
Address__________________________
Occupation________________________
W obecnoci (wiadka)
Imi i nazwisko ___________________
Adres___________________________
Zawd___________________________
ST 5. Agreement for the sale of a vehicle
Source text English
Target text Polish
Agreement for the sale of a vehicle

(Private sell)
Umowa sprzeday samochodu

(Sprzeda prywatna)
1.
THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE the 15th day

of August year 2007
NINIEJSZ UMOW ZAWARTO dnia

15go sierpnia 2007 roku
BETWEEN:
POMIDZY:
1) Mr John Paul Smith of 23 Preston

Road, Kent KN9 20NT (the
Buyer); and
2) Auto Sell sole trader of 30 Preston
Road, Kent KN9 20NT (the
Seller)
2.
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

1) In consideration of the sum of 15,000,
receipt of which the Seller acknowledges,
the Seller sells and transfers to the Buyer
the vehicle (Vehicle):
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Golf
Registration Number: 07NT CAL
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Mileage: 250
Colour: Black
Extras: Tinted windows
3.
4.
5.
2) The Seller warrants to the Buyer: (i) the

Seller is the owner of the Vehicle; (ii) the
Seller has the legal right to sell the Vehicle;
(iii) the Vehicle is free and clear of all liens
and encumbrances; and (iv) the Vehicle is
not the subject of a hire purchase
agreement.
3) The Seller warrants that while the Vehicle
was in the Sellers possession, the odometer
was not altered or disconnected and that to
the best of the Sellers knowledge the
odometer reading above reflects the actual
mileage.
4) The Buyer agrees to dispatch the
Vehicles Registration Document to DVLA
as soon as practicable after signature of this
Agreement, informing DVLA of the
Buyers ownership of the Vehicle.
1) Panem John Paul Smith

zamieszkaym na 23 Preston Road,
Kent KN9 20NT (Nabywca);
oraz
2) Auto Sell przedsibiorca
indywidualny prowadzcy
dziaalno na 30 Preston Road,
Kent KN9 20NT (Sprzedawca)
NINIEJSZYM UZGODNIA si co
nastpuje:
1) W zamian za sum 15 000, otrzymanie
ktrej potwierdza Sprzedawca, niniejszy
Sprzedawca sprzedaje i przekazuje
Nabywcy samochd (Samochd):
Marka: Volkswagen
Model: Golf
Numer rejestracji: 07NT CAL
Rok produkcji: 2007
Ilo mil: 250
Kolor: czarny
Dodatki: przyciemnione szyby
2) Sprzedawca gwarantuje Nabywcy, i (i)
Sprzedawca jest wacicielem Samochodu;
(ii) Sprzedawca ma prawo do sprzeday
niniejszego Samochodu; (iii) niniejszy
Samochd nie jest zastawiony i jest wolny
od obcie; oraz (iv) niniejszy Samochd
nie podlega umowie sprzeday ratalnej.
3) Sprzedawca gwarantuje, e podczas gdy
niniejszy Samochd by w jego posiadaniu,
drogomierz nie zosta zmodyfikowany lub
odczony oraz, zgodnie z najlepsz wiedz
Sprzedawcy, niniejszy drogomierz
pokazuje waciw ilo mil.
4) Nabywca podejmuje si przesania
dokumentu rejestracji Samochodu do
Agencji Prawa Jazdy i Licencji Pojazdw
(DVLA) (Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency jak szybko to tylko moliwe po
podpisaniu niniejszej Umowy, informujc
DVLA o danych Nabywcy Samochodu.
WARRANTY
6.
KLAUZULA GWARANCYJNA
THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN
LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OR
CONDITIONS, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED
OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
7.
8.
9.
The exclusive remedy under this warranty

shall be the repair or replacement of the
defective component at the Sellers option.
The Seller reserves the right to require that
all applicable failed materials are available
and/or returned to the Licensor for review
and evaluation.
In no event shall the Seller be liable for

special, incidental, indirect, or
consequential damage of any kind,
including, but not limited to, towing,
downtime, lost productivity, cargo damage,
taxes, or any other losses or costs resulting
from a defective covered component.
This is the entire agreement between the

Seller and the Buyer about warranty and no
Sellers employee is authorised to make any
additional warranty on behalf of the Seller.
NINIEJSZA KLAUZULA
GWARANCYJNA W SPOSB
WYRANY WYCZA STOSOWANIE
WSZELKICH INNYCH WARUNKW
USTANAWIAJCYCH
ODPOWIEDZIALNO
Z TYTUU GWARANCJI JAKOCI LUB
POSTANOWIE UMOWNYCH
OKRELONYCH, DOROZUMIANYCH
LUB USTAWOWYCH,
WCZAJC W TO JAKKOLWIEK
DOROZUMIAN
ODPOWIEDZIALNO Z TYTUU
GWARANCJI JAKOCI NA NADANIE
SI DO ZBYCIA ALBO TE NADANIA
SI DO CELW SZCZEGLNYCH.
Jedynym rodkiem prawnym
przysugujcym z tytuu niniejszej klauzuli
gwarancyjnej jest prawo do dania
naprawy lub wymiany wadliwego elementu
dokonane wedug opinii Sprzedawcy.
Sprzedawca zastrzega sobie prawo do
dania udostpnienia mu lub zwrotu
wszelkich stosownych wadliwych
materiaw w celu dokonania ich przegldu
i oceny.
W adnym przypadku Sprzedawca nie
bdzie odpowiedzialny za wszelakiego
rodzaju szkody o charakterze wyjtkowym,
ubocznym, porednim bd wtrnym,
wczajc w to midzy innymi holowanie,
okresy przestoju, obnienie
produktywnoci, szkody w adunku,
podatki, lub jakiekolwiek inne straty lub
koszty spowodowane przez wadliwy
element objty niniejsz klauzul.
Niniejsza umowa stanowi wyczerpujce i
kompletne porozumienie pomidzy
Sprzedawc i Nabywc odnonie
odpowiedzialnoci za wady i aden z
pracownikw nie jest upowaniony do
skadania w imieniu Sprzedawcy
owiadcze odnonie rozszerzenia zakresu
tej odpowiedzialnoci.
GOVERNING LAW
10.
11.
12.
PRAWO WACIWE.
The applicable law of this Agreement is
English law.
AS WITNESS OF WHICH the parties
hereto have signed this Agreement the day
and year first written above.
Prawem waciwym niniejszej Umowy jest

prawo angielskie.
NA DOWD POWYSZEGO strony
niniejszej umowy podpisay j w dniu
wskazanym w postanowieniach wstpnych.
SIGNED by the Seller _________________

13.
PODPIS Sprzedawcy_________________
SIGNED by the Buyer_________________
PODPIS Nabywcy___________________
SIGNED by a Witness_________________
PODPIS wiadka____________________
APPENDIX II: The legal terminology

Terminology Employment Contract (ST1)
Source Text
Employment contract
Target Text
Umowa o prac
Commencement
Under section
Data rozpoczcia
Na podstawie paragrafu
Job title
Base salary
In the capacity of
Benefits
Compensation Committee
Tytu subowy
Wynagrodzenie zasadnicze
Na pozycji
wiadczenia
Komisja do spraw
wynagrodze
wiadczenia nie pienine
Podatek od wiadcze
niepieninych
Premia roczna w rodkach
pieninych
Wypaty wynagrodzenia
zasadniczego
Podatek pobierany zaliczkowo
Podstawowe godziny
Urlop
Wynagrodzenie
Cafeteria benefits
Fringe Benefits Tax
Annual Bonus in cash
Regular payroll
Witholding taxes
Normal hours
Holidays
Remuneration
Sickness
Termination
Payment in lieu
Confidentiality
Nieobecno [w pracy] z
powodu choroby
Emerytura
Nieobowizkowe skadki
emerytalne
Zawiadczenie o odczeniu
si drog umowy
Zgodnie z Ustaw o
Systemach Emerytalnych
Wypowiedzenie
Zapata w miejsce (zamiast)
Zachowanie poufnoci
Non-competition
Zakaz konkurencji
Customer / Client
Grievance procedure
Klient
Procedura rozpoznawania
skarg / Postpowanie
zaatwiania skarg
Procedura apelacyjna
Pension
Voluntary pension contribution
Contracting out certificate
Under Pension Scheme Act
Appeal procedure
Back Translation
Employment contract /
Agreement contract
The date of commencement
(in accordance to) under
section
Service title
Base reward / principal reward
As / In the position of
Services
Compensation Committee /
Remuneration Committee
Non cash benefits
Non cash benefits tax
Annual Bonus paid by the
monetary means
Base salary pay
Tax taken in advance
Basic hours / Standard hours
Leave [at work]
Compensation / Pay /
Remuneration
Sick leave / Sickness absence
[at work]
Retirement / Pension
Non mandatory pension
contributions
Contracting out certificate
According to Pension Scheme
Act
Termination / Pronouncement
Payment instead of
To preserve / keep
confidentiality
Non-competition / Ban on
competition
Client
Grievance recognition
procedure / Grievance
resolution procedure
Appeal procedure
Notice
Severability
Powiadomienie
Rozdzielna interpretacja
postanowie umowy
Governing law
Jurisdiction
Full force and effect
In witness whereof
The term of employment
Shall be reviewed
Prawo waciwe
Jurysdykcja
Pena moc prawna
W dowd powyszego
Czas trwania zatrudnienia
Bdzie przedmiotem analizy
Recovery of damages
Injunction
Apply for an injunction
Held to be invalid
Otrzymanie odszkodowania
Nakaz sdowy
Ubieganie si o nakaz sdowy
Uznane za niewane
Notification
Separate interpretation of
agreements (contract)
decisions
The correct law
Jurisdiction
Full legal force
As a proof for the above
The employment period
It will be the subject of
analysis
Receipt of damages
The court order
Apply for an court order
Assessed as not important
Terminology Co-habitation Agreement (ST2)

Source Text
Cohabitation Agreement
Target Text
Umowa Wsplnego Poycia
This deed of Agreement

Taking into consideration that
Trust
Niniejszy akt prawny Umowy

Zwaywszy, e
Powiernictwo, zarzd
powierniczy
Prawo wasnoci domu
Ownership of the home

Division of proceeds
Tenants in
common in equal shares
Building Society
Television licence
Unmarried partners
Signed as a deed
Beneficial interest
Accumulation of
equity
Podzia dochodu
Wspwaciciele Domu
(tenants in common)
w ktrym posiadaj ten sam
udzia interesu beneficyjnego
Oszczdnociowa Kasa
Budowlana
Abonament telewizyjny
Wspyjcy bez lubu
Podpisano jako dokument
prawny
Interes beneficyjny
Akumulacja rodkw
wasnych
Back Translation
Living together without
marriage
This deed of Contract
Whereas
Trust / Zarzd Powierniczy
The right to the house
ownership
Division of income
Co-owners of the Home
(tenants in common) in which
they have the same share of
the beneficial interest.
Building Society Saving [in
the UK]
(Paid) subscription for
Television
Cohabiting without marriage
Signed as a legal document
Beneficial interest
Accumulation of
own means (financial)
Terminology Tenancy Agreement (ST3)

Source Text
Assured Shorthold Tenancy
Target Text
Umowa Najmu
Back Translation
Tenancy Agreement assuring
Tenancy Agreement
Zabezpieczajca Prawo
Wasnoci Waciciela
(Assured Shorthold Tenancy)
Umowa Najmu [Lokalu]
Rental Agreement
Umowa Czynszowa
Tenant
Let
Rent
Lokator, najemca
Wynaj/mowa
Wynaj/mowa, Najmowa
(Bra w wynajem)
Okres, Termin
Warunki
Warunki i Postanowienia
Umowne
ma na celu ustanowienie
(warunkw) na podstawie
ktrych
Na mocy niniejszej Umowy
Ustawa o Gospodarce
Mieszkaniowej 1988
Zapewnienie
Niniejszy Lokator potwierdza
po zakoczeniu niniejszego
Terminu.
Podatek miejski
Zwrci
Brak zgody powinien by
uzasadniony
Nieruchomo, mienie
Term
Terms
Terms and Conditions
is intended to create
(conditions) whereby
Hereby
Housing Act 1988
Provision
The Tenant understands
at the end of the Term
Council Tax
To yield up
Consent not to be withheld
unreasonably
Property
Use all reasonable efforts
Reasonable costs
Unreasonable interruption
Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
Address first above stated.
Stamp duty
Naleycie postara si
Stosowne [uzasadnione]
koszta
Nieuzasadniona
przeszkoda
Ustawy o Warunkach
Dzierawy 1987
Adres podany w
postanowieniach wstpnych
Opata stemplowa
the ownership rights of the

owner / landlord to his/her
property.
Rent of accommodation
Agreement / Lease Agreement
[refers only to properties]
Residential Rent Agreement
Tenant
Let, rent
Rent, lease
Period, term
Conditions, terms
Terms and Conditions of the
Agreement
aims at establishing
(conditions) based on which
Based on the Agreement
Housing Act 1988 (in the UK)
Assurance, provision
The Tenant confirms
After the end of the Term
Town/City Tax (in the UK)
Return
Refusal should be justified
Immovable, real estate,
property
Try appropriately [well
Relevant [appropriate /
reasonable] costs
Interruption that does not have
an explanation
Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
(in the UK)
Address stated in the
provisions at the beginning [of
the Agreement]
Stamp duty
Terminology Guarantee Agreement (ST4)

Source Text
Guarantee Agreement
Target Text
Umowa Gwarantujca Zapat
Back Translation
Payment Guarantee Agreement
Inducement for the Creditor

From time to time
Porczenie dla Wierzyciela

W kadym momencie
[type of Guarantee must be

defined]
Inducement for the Creditor
At any time [Differently worded
but the same division of time and
space]
It is hereby agreed
This guarantee is unlimited as
to amount or duration
The said indebtedness
Guarantor waives all rights
Subrogation
The Guarantor guarantee and
represents it has full authority
to enter into this guarantee
Shall be binding
Inure to the benefit of the
parties
Assignee
Signed by or on behalf of the
Guarantor
Niniejszym uzgadnia si
Niniejsza gwarancja zapaty
nie jest ograniczona w
stosunku do wysokoci bd
okresu trwania
Rzekome zaduenie
Gwarant zrzeka si wszelkich
praw
Subrogacja
Gwarant zapewnia, e jest w
peni uprawniony do zawarcia
niniejszej gwarancji
Obowizuje
Stanowi korzy na rzecz
stron
Cesjonariusz
Podpisane przez bd w
imieniu Gwaranta
It is agreed
This payment guarantee is
unlimited as to amount or
duration
The said indebtedness
Guarantor waives all rights
Subrogation
The Guarantor reassures that
s/he has full authority to enter
into this guarantee
Is valid, is binding
It is of benefit to parties
Assignee, cessionary
Signed by or on behalf of the
Guarantor
Terminology Agreement for the sale of a vehicle (ST5)

Source Text
In consideration of the sum
The Seller warrants to the
Buyer
Clear of all liens and
encumbrances
The Vehicle is not the subject
of a hire purchase agreement
DVLA
As witness of which
The parties hereto
Target Text
W zamian za sum
Sprzedawca gwarantuje
Nabywcy
Nie jest zastawiony i jest
wolny od obcie
Niniejszy Samochd nie
podlega umowie sprzeday
ratalnej
Agencja Prawa Jazdy i
Licencji Pojazdw w Wielkiej
Brytanii
Na dowd powyszego
Strony niniejszej umowy
Back Translation
In exchange of the sum
The Seller guarantees to the
Purchaser
Clear of all liens and
encumbrances
The Vehicle is not subjected to
purchase agreement providing
payment by instalments
Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency in the United
Kingdom
As a proof of the above
Parties to this Agreement
APPENDIX III: The survey with results

1. Do you translate legal contracts that can be used in the court of law?
Yes
No
100%* (57)**
2. Do you have a legal training (education, personal research, background or/and

experience etc.)?
Yes
No
59% (33)
41% (24)
3. If yes, what legal system have you received your training at?
Polish law
76% (25 from 33)
English law 15% (5)
Both, Polish and English law 9% (3)
4. Based on your experience, how important is the legal training in translation the
contracts?
Necessary
67% (38)
Beneficial, but not necessary 33% (19)
Not necessary -
5. Could you provide reasons (if any) for legal training that would support translation of
contracts?
6. Do employers/clients enquire about your legal training when requesting translation of
contracts?
If yes, could you detail what is required/asked for?
7. How do you tend to resolve problems of legal terminological incogruencies in
contracts (choose one or more)?
Functional equivalents
100% (57)
Neologisms 9% (5)
Descriptive paraphrases
95% (54)
Neutral terms sometimes accompanied by definition for additional clarification or
original term in brackets
98% (56)
Annotations 35% (20)
Borrowings
33% (19)
Naturalisations
Literal equivalents
Other:
11% (6)
23% (13)
8. How often do you believe that it is possible for the translated contracts to have the
same legal effect as the original?
100%
86% - 99%
71% - 85%
56% - 70%
45% - 55%
21% - 44%
0% - 20%
49% (28)
47% (27)
4% (2)
-
Your further comments would be greatly appreciated:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.

* Percentage of all voters.
** Number of voters out of total of 57.
APPENDIX IV: Translation of the Polish Court Translator Code published by the
Polish Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators TEPIS.
The text below is my translation of the Polish Court Translator Code published
by the Polish Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators TEPIS. The original Polish
version is available on http://www.tepis.org.pl/biuletyn/40/tepis.htm
THE POLISH COURT TRANSLATOR CODE
Respecting the rules of:
The Translators Code of the International Federation of Translators FIT;
UNESCO requirements regarding the protection of the translators and translations

rights and practical means to improve the translators status;
The professional code of the International Association of Conference Interpreters

AIIC;
Cooperation with the management of the Sworn Translators section of the Polish
Translators Association;
The art of legal translation and the opinions of the recognised authorities of Polish
translation studies;
Polish law regulating the Sworn Translators;
The statue of the Polish Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators TEPIS,
As a result of the meeting hold on the 7th June 1991 the Principal Council of the Polish
Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators TEPIS, in force of its Statues section 2
paragraphs 1 and 2 agreed the Polish Court Translation Code provided underneath.
ARTICLE II
TRANSLATING RULES FOR DOCUMENTS TRANSLATION
22.
The document is by the rules of the Code a text that is potentially a subject to
domestic and foreign legal turnover as well as the conveyer on which it was
recorded.
23.
The translation of the document must be faithful.
24.
Faithful translation of a document is based on transferring the meaning of the

source text into the target language following the rules of the art of legal
translation.
25.
The rules of the art of legal translation are defined by appointed for this purpose
international and domestic regulating bodies also inclusive of the Council of
Translators TEPIS, based on the opinions of recognised authorities of translation
studies.
26.
The fundamental rules of the art of legal translation require:

1. The use of one target language in the entire documents translation, i.e. the
language of the chosen country or one of the countries within the language
zone, with other language inclusions if this was the originals author intention;
2. The use of phraseology and terminology that is appropriate to the relevant
legal, specialized or other sublanguage of the chosen target language assuming
that the target reader of the translation has basic specialised knowledge in the
target language;
3. The use of one equivalent for description of the same concept within the entire
translation;
4. The use of different equivalents for varied concepts in the same translation;
5. Give priority of use to the terminology recommended by the international and
domestic regulating bodies;
6. The use of appropriate equivalents in the target language that the best convey
the meaning of specialised concepts of the source language culture;
7. If there is no target language equivalent that conveys the same meaning or in
case of absence of such equivalent in the regulating bodies recommendation,
the use of:
1. borrowing from the source language with explanation if the borrowing
had not been previously naturalised in the target language,
2. linguistic calque with explanation if the calque had not been
previously naturalised in the target language,
3. paraphrasing equivalent that refers to similar concept of a universal
character,
4. paraphrasing equivalent that refers to similar concept known in the
target language culture,
5. translators notes explaining the chosen equivalent;
8. To transfer in the target language the culture of the source language text;
9. Based on the abilities of the translator and the need of the reader, maintain in
the target language features characteristic to the epoch the source language
document was created in;
10. The use of all translating methods that lead to the optimal equivalence of the
translation and its adequacy to the function given and thus depending on
requirements such as:
1. literal translation of the least contextualised lexical elements i.e. if the
linguistic, cultural and situational contexts are not much relevant or if
the relevance is similar in the source and target languages and relates
to the grammatical structures, if such structures exist in the target
language,
2. literal translation i.e. verbatim translation of the lexical elements, such

as in the subparagraph 10.1, without retaining the grammatical
structures of the source language, if similar structures do not exist in
the target language or if their retention would negatively reflect upon
the translation,
3. transpositional translation of the text elements that exclude literal
translation i.e. replacement in the target text elements of the source
text such as: phraseological expressions, idioms, proverbs, situational
sayings, slang and others that literal translation would not make sense,
by different lexical and grammatical structural elements but of the
same or similar meaning and function in the target language;
11. The use of formal and legal rules defined by the Codes regulations;
12. The use of the fundamental translating documents rules also for interpreting in
courts and in the Civil Service.

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Key aspects and problem areas in the jurilinguistic translation of

The translation of legal terminology used for establishing facts in court

LINGUISTIC THEORY for LEGAL TRANSLATION 4

The theoretical framework

The issue of equivalence in legal translation

Alternative equivalents and translating methods

The translators agenda

THE TRANSLATING PROCESS

Polish and English Law contextual differences

The function of contracts in two different legal systems

ST Reader, TT Reader and Ideal TT Reader

Subcategories of legal terminology

Purely technical terms

Terms of French and Norman origins

Archaic Anglo-Saxon terms

Names and entities

Names of English institutions and legal acts

Contracts and translations

The legal terminology

The survey with results

Translation of the Polish Court Translator Code

Partial functional equivalence

The survey results

CHAPTER 2 LINGUISTIC THEORY FOR LEGAL TRANSLATION

The theoretical framework

Intrasemiotic translation is the

(Vermeer, 1982: 99, as translated in arevi, 2000: 19)

The issue of equivalence in legal translation

At the heart of the aforementioned theoretical framework lies the equivalence of

The legal functional equivalent already referred to in subsection 2.1 is defined by

Figure 2.1 Near-functional equivalence

Figure 2.2 Partial functional equivalence

Figure 2.3 Non-equivalence

The legal topic must be well

researched in order to provide supporting information in the TL.

Alternative equivalents and translating methods

When the use of a functional equivalent is inadvisable because it could lead to

In Polish civil law a

Therefore, the term konkubina does not

Synonyms such as post-holder, job-holder, worker, etc.

The Translators Agenda

In the selection of the

translating method to be followed for the transfer of legal terminology in official

Polish and English Law Contextual Differences

ST Reader, TT Reader and Ideal TT Reader

According to Sager (1980: 210), legal

translation aims at conveying communication between the subject specialists. A similar

Subcategories of legal terminology

Purely technical terms

dictionaries attempt to translate tenants in common as wspdzierawcy (joint tenants

Niniejsze Strony zgodnie owiadczaj, i s wspwacicielami Domu (tenants in common)

The most popular propositions are: prawo powszechnie

obowizujce (law in common use), prawo zwyczajowe (w przeciwiestwie do prawa

The main difference that is

This guarantee is subject to common and criminal laws of England (13)

Niniejsza gwarancja podlega angielskiemu prawu zwyczajowemu (common law) oraz

Niniejsza klauzula gwarancyjna w sposb wyrany wycza stosowanie wszelkich innych

The guarantee hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute (7)

The guarantee of repayment required by this Agreement is unconditional and absolute

Wszelkie fundusze nalece do oddzielnych kont bankowych lub oszczdnociowej kasy

Collective agreement (13)

Uzgodnienia zbiorowe (13)