Articles and Stories

March 3, 2014

Every news organization in the U.S. reported last week that: The “Ducktona 500″ in Sheboygan Falls and the “Lucky Ducky Derby” in Menomonee Falls may soon be able to operate in Wisconsin again without fear of breaking the law. Rubber duck racing is considered illegal gambling.

Last week the state Senate passed a bill legalizing rubber duck races in Wisconsin and it is believed that the bill (no pun intended) will pass. The bill would create an exemption for duck races, similar to laws in Minnesota and Michigan.

Nonprofit organizations around the world commonly race the little plastic ducks as fundraisers.

There are websites with official ‘rules and regulations of the Rubber Duck Derby’ that require translation to draw people from other cultures to such event.

Translating these websites with the rules and regulations is considered a ‘legal translation’.

Great linguists only translate into their native languages. But for any specialization, it is important not only to stay informed about any advances in their own country, translators also have to learn everything about their source country from which they are translating, like knowing about rubber duck racing.

In case you are not familiar with these events, a rubber duck race must comply with the following rules:

1. The ducks are placed on the waterway and the first duck to cross a finish line is celebrated as the winner of the raffle. The winner receives prize money.
2. All the ducks should be unbreakable and unsinkable.
3. A number is written in waterproof ink on each duck; that same number is given to the person having bought the raffle.
4. All the ducks need to have the same size, shape, and weight, color and accessories may vary.
5. The waterway should be free of obstructions, and individuals at the race are prohibited from touching, hindering, or moving the ducks while they are in the waterway. (But since it is for charity, ducks tangled up on the riverbank at the beginning of the race may be freed to continue the race).
6. The race begins with all of the ducks being dropped or released into the water at the same time.
7. The first duck to swim through the finish line is to be caught and the number on the duck to be announced to the winner.