Somali interpretation services
Standard Somali or Maay Maay. We do not treat them as one.
Somali at a glance
Somali is essential for any refugee-resettlement or East-African community-services program in the US. We staff both Standard Somali and Maay Maay — they're not always mutually intelligible.
Standard Somali and Maay Maay are separate staffing requests. The two are not always mutually intelligible, and Somali carries a strong oral tradition — spoken interpretation is often the most effective channel for reaching Somali communities.
Somali has around 24 million speakers in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the diaspora. We cover the varieties listed here and can match a linguist to a specific region or community on request.
- Native name
- Soomaali
- Script
- Latin alphabet (since 1972)
- Greeting
- Iska warran? (“how are you?” — a common greeting)
- Speakers
- 24M+
- Language family
- Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic
- Spoken in
- Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, United States, UK, Sweden
- Dialects and varieties
- Northern Somali (Standard), Benadiri, Maay Maay
Four ways to work with a Somali interpreter
Pick the modality that fits the conversation. Every one draws on the same vetted roster and the same standards.
Over-the-phone
A Somali interpreter joins your call on demand, with no scheduling, apps or equipment. Built for short, urgent conversations.
Video remote
See each other while a Somali interpreter works on screen: clinical visits, depositions and anything where expression or documents matter.
In person
A Somali interpreter in the room for appointments, hearings, admissions and site visits where presence matters.
Meetings & events
Simultaneous or consecutive Somali interpretation for board meetings, trainings, town halls and conferences.
Where Somali interpretation is needed most
We match each request on language, dialect and setting, because a good rendering of a diagnosis or a court instruction takes more than fluency.
- Refugee resettlement
- Healthcare & clinical
- K-12 family liaison
- Asylum & immigration
Often requested alongside Somali
Need a Somali interpreter?
Tell us the setting, the date and how you want to connect. We'll match you with the right interpreter.