Edward Tully Apr 28, 2011:

That's why it's called translation and not transcription - of course the Spanish text is different and that is why a literal translation should always be questioned. Specific Google searches are incredibly helpful in learning and demonstrating how English is used and I doubt very much that "both versions would come up". A document that begins "we certify" does not per se make it a certificate, accepted English usage in specific contexts should always be followed.

AllegroTrans Apr 28, 2011:

I have not said that "claims history" doesn't exist as a term, merely that the Spanish text does not call it that, it patently calls it a certificate.
Google hits don't help us, nor would conducting a survey of motor insurers, as I am sure that both versions would come up. It's all down to the Spanish text, which is unambiguous, clear and decisive. I am sure that if you were to see the document it would use words like "we certify that...blah blah blah"

Edward Tully Apr 27, 2011:

Belgian English Compared with over 90,000 hits on Google for the commmonly used term in English in this exact context...

AllegroTrans Apr 27, 2011:

Well that's strange Here are 2 refs. If you open the first one you will actually see a Certificate, issued under Belgian law:

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[PDF]
CLAIMS HISTORY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ...
Adobe PDF - View as html
c laims h istory c ertificate i ssued in accordance with the r oyal d ecree of 16 j anuary 2002 and to be delivered without delay to the next insurer policy number: registration ...
www.cbfa.be/fr/vo/br/pdf/certificate.pdf
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EUR-Lex - 62006J0518 - EN
... compulsory insurance which are submitted to them, without prejudice to the necessary assessment of the correctness of the data shown in the claims history certificate ...
eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:... - Cached

Edward Tully Apr 27, 2011:

Let's try and get a correct translation No reliable references posted except mine.

AllegroTrans Apr 27, 2011:

Let's look it up in the dico (Collins EN-SP-EN 1984. 13th printing)
certifiacado: adj: certified (post) registered
nm: certificate, testimonial --- médico: medical certificate (post) registered item, registered packet