Legal Translation and Terminology: A Comparison of Tools

Abstract

Traduzione giuridica e terminologia: strumenti a confronto

Legal translation is an area in which the implications of institutional multilingualism and the diversity of legal systems emerge with particular clarity. This contribution examines the evolution of translation models in multilingual national contexts and within the European Union, traditionally characterised by a bottom-up approach in the former and a top-down approach in the latter. The analysis of terminological tools and operational practices shows that, within the EU, a growing comparative sensitivity is developing, complementing – without replacing – the traditional model oriented towards linguistic uniformity. Drawing on examples from professional experience in the bilingual context of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen and within EU institutions, the contribution highlights convergences and divergences in the ways terminological issues are addressed, revealing a dynamic and evolving landscape.