I always advise beneficiaries to look for ways to reduce the possibilities of discrepancies. Choosing to present in a language other than that of the L/C is asking for trouble. The banks have the option whether or not to accept the presentation in another language, but if two people are asked to translate the same text, you will not get identical results. Therefore in the L/C context you run the risk (unnecessarily) of discrepancies due to interpretative differences.
The earlier suggestion of specifically nominating exclusively the language to be used may turn out to be counter-productive if strict compliance is used. If English is nominated, is this American English, British English etc; if Arabic is nominated, is this Egyptian Arabic, Saudi Arabic etc ? One can see comparisons in the software industry, where generic products are "localised" for national markets, but even top localisation specialists like Microsoft get it wrong.
Laurence
[edited 1/21/02 10:21:29 AM]
Language of documents
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larryBacon
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Language of documents
An ICC Opinion has been issued on this topic - since this topic began on the discussion forum.
The following is part of the conclusion to that ICC Opinion:
"A requirement for a document to be issued in a specific language does not prohibit other languages or dual languages being used, provided the information requested by the credit is clearly indicated in the requested language."
To see the full text of the opinion search under "languages" using only the ICC opinions option of the full site search.
[edited 1/21/02 12:09:50 PM]
The following is part of the conclusion to that ICC Opinion:
"A requirement for a document to be issued in a specific language does not prohibit other languages or dual languages being used, provided the information requested by the credit is clearly indicated in the requested language."
To see the full text of the opinion search under "languages" using only the ICC opinions option of the full site search.
[edited 1/21/02 12:09:50 PM]
Language of documents
This is very interesting question. The draft of the ISBP now in circulation (April 2002) ) says this on the subject: "According to international standard banking practice, documents must be issued in the language of the credit. An issuing bank which requires document(s) in another language(s) than that of the credit must so state in the credit. When a credit states that documents in two or more languages are acceptable, a nominated bank may in its advice of the credit limit the number of acceptable languages as a condition of its engagement in their credit or confirmation."
Very interesting is also that the previous draft said the very opposite, i.e. that if the L/C is silent on the language, documents in any language is acceptable. This has been obviously refused by National Committiees (as our - ICC CR for instance).
Pavel Andrle
Very interesting is also that the previous draft said the very opposite, i.e. that if the L/C is silent on the language, documents in any language is acceptable. This has been obviously refused by National Committiees (as our - ICC CR for instance).
Pavel Andrle