Using the appropriate terms in translation is always important. But, as previously discussed, using legal terminology correctly is vitally important. Incorrect or approximate terminology almost invariably causes confusion and delays. Incorrect terminology can even cause a breach of contractual obligations, give rise to claims or result in litigation and damages.
When translating between English and another continental European language (such as Greek) the most challenging terminological conundrums are due to the differences between civil law and common law. In those cases, a translator may need to think creatively and come up with the best term. In other cases, things are much simpler.
GDPR terminology (and data protection terminology in general) is one of the latter cases. All a translator needs to do is follow the established EU terminology in each language. Coincidentally, the terminology actually underwent some amendments after the GDPR was passed. In Greek, for instance, the term “privacy” was initially translated as “απόρρητο” and then amended to “εμπιστευτικότητα”.
Here is a bilingual (English-Greek) glossary of the main terms:
| ENGLISH | GREEK |
|---|---|
| adequate level of protection | επαρκές επίπεδο προστασίας |
| consent | συγκατάθεση |
| controller | υπεύθυνος επεξεργασίας |
| data protection | προστασία δεδομένων προσωπικού χαρακτήρα (“προστασία προσωπικών δεδομένων” is acceptable for brevity) |
| data protection officer | Υπεύθυνος προστασίας δεδομένων |
| data subject | υποκείμενο των δεδομένων |
| disclosure | κοινολόγηση |
| erasure | διαγραφή |
| General Data Protection Regulation | Γενικός Κανονισμός για την Προστασία Δεδομένων |
| GDPR | ΓΚΠΔ |
| object (v.) | αντιτίθεμαι |
| privacy | εμπιστευτικότητα |
| processor | εκτελών την επεξεργασία |
| rectification | διόρθωση |
| retain (v.) | διατηρώ |
| transfer | διαβίβαση |
Do you or your company need help with Greek legal terminology? Please get in touch.