Somali Translation Services

Classified as a Cushitic language within the broader Afroasiatic language family, Somali is spoken by more than 21 million people worldwide and retains official language status in both Somalia and Ethiopia. Drastically different from English, Somali has a range of regional dialects and varieties that make it crucial for a skilled translator with a true mastery of both languages to navigate effective written and spoken communications.

At CanTalk, we work with a pool of highly trained and experienced Somali translators and interpreters who specialize in localization and the nuances of communication between English and Somali speakers. We’re prepared to assist with Somali/English language projects, no matter their size or scope.

Who We Are

Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba’s historic Exchange District, CanTalk is an international leader in the provision of integrated language services. Our proprietary language technology solutions make for seamless experiences that erase communication barriers and promote language interdependency across a wide range of industries. With more than 25 years of experience, we offer IMMEDIATE over-the-phone service 24/7, 365 days a year, in more than 220 languages. Trust CanTalk’s superior safeguarding of client data as we connect you with Somali speakers around the globe.

CanTalk’s experienced and professionally certified Somali translators and interpreters must continually meet rigorous standards in order to work with us. When you hire CanTalk, you can expect exceptional service that is regularly vetted by our quality assurance team to ensure consistency. Share your Somali language project with us, and our skilled team will bring it to life with dedication and precision!

Our Services & Expertise

We are committed to seamlessly meeting our clients’ needs, no matter the scope or context of a given project. Below are some of our most popular services, but we’re also willing to collaborate with you in thinking outside the box to accommodate unique projects and circumstances. Don’t hesitate to contact us directly to discuss further options.

Pricing & Turnaround Time

At CanTalk we believe that every language project is unique, which is why we provide customized quotes for every client. Our pricing and turnaround times are competitive with other top grade language service centres, but reflect the complexity and parameters of your specific needs.

As a general rule, interpretive services can be accessed in under one minute in most languages, while text translation services may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Contact us directly and one of our qualified team members will be happy to provide you with a timely and accurate quote.

Industries

  • Healthcare – When you or a loved one is in need, you don’t want to be scrambling to communicate. CanTalk’s immediate Somali voice translation services can be effective in emergency situations or for everyday medical appointments and procedures.
  • Financial – Our Somali translators are experienced in working with financial documents as well as interpreting for important financial meetings and presentations.
  • Legal – Courtroom proceedings, legal documents, meetings, and appointments can all be capably handled by CanTalk’s experienced Somali interpreters and translators.
  • Life Sciences – From academic research to fields like pharmaceuticals and medical technology, connecting directly with Somali-speaking partners can be a game-changer. CanTalk can help.
  • Entertainment – Reach new audiences with English to Somali or Somali to English script translations, voice-overs, subtitling, live interpretation, and more.
  • Business – Expand into Somali-speaking marketplaces with seamlessly integrated language services for meetings, phone calls, presentations, negotiations, and more.
  • Hospitality & Travel – Draw in more clients with Somali signage, website content, audio tours, and more.

With the help of a professional Somali translator from CanTalk, you’ll be reaching and engaging new audiences in record time. Contact us today for more information or a customized quote!

Somali Translation Tips

Language Structure

Somali is structurally very different from English. It has multiple tones that denote different meanings for otherwise identical words when spoken aloud. It’s also an agglutinative language, meaning that suffixes attached to root words provide grammatical information, and its pronouns include emphatic forms, short forms, subject and object forms, and sometimes even inclusive and exclusive forms. It takes a great deal of skill for an experienced Somali translator to navigate the language’s complexities. Keep this in mind when selecting a translator to work with.

Somali Variations

Most linguists recognize at least two distinct regional varieties of Somali, known as Af Maay and Al Maxaa. Af Maaxa became the official written variety of Somali in 1973 (using the Latin alphabet except for the letters p, v, and z) and represents the Northern Somali dialect, which has become standard across most of the Somali-speaking world. That being said, other Somali dialects exist in coastal areas and amongst nomadic groups from a variety of regions. When translating from English to Somali, be sure to discuss the target population you want to reach so that your translator can adapt accordingly.

Somali Language Facts

  • Somali is an official language in Somalia and Ethiopia and a national language in Djibouti and Kenya. It’s spoken worldwide by more than 21 million people.
  • The Somali language has 20 distinct vowel sounds and is spoken using three distinct tones.
  • In addition to the official Latin alphabet, Somali can also be written in four other scripts known as Wadaad, Osmanya, Borama, and Kaddare.
  • Somali is a subject-object-verb language. This means that an English sentence such as “The dog ate a bone” would become “The dog a bone ate” in Somali.
  • Proverbs represent an important component of everyday speech in Somalia, such as to be without knowledge is to be without light.