When translating official documents such as marriage certificates, we sometimes come across mistakes in original documents. These tend to be incorrect spellings of names or addresses, or can be incorrect information, for example professions, places of birth or ages.
If we encounter such an error we add a note – “sic” – placed between square brackets and italicized: [sic].
Sic is a Latin word meaning "thus", "so", "as such", or "in such a manner". In writing it can be used to indicate that an incorrect or unusual spelling, phrase or punctuation has been reproduced verbatim from the quoted original.
Adding a [sic] note shows that there is a mistake in the original document and that it is not a transcription error. Please see an example below:-
DETAILS OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM BRIDEGROOM’S NAME: ROBERT WILLIAMMS [sic] ------ NAMES FIRST SURNAME SECOND SURNAME PLACE OF BIRTH: LONDON [sic] ------ PLACE MUNICIPALITY OR DISTRICT ENGLAND STATE COUNTRY
[Extract from Mexican marriage certificate (all names changed)]
As we come across many such examples, we always ask our clients to check our translations before we issue the hard copies. This is so that we can be made aware of any less obvious mistakes that may appear in the original.
Highlighting smalls errors like those shown above should not make your document any less official, so don't make yourself sic with worry!