Achi interpreting and translation

Achi interpreting for legal, asylum and medical settings

Achi speakers can often follow K'iche', and for simple exchanges a K'iche' interpreter may be acceptable. For legal statements, asylum interviews and medical histories, however, we book an Achi interpreter, or a K'iche' interpreter only when the client confirms they understand that person well, and we record the arrangement. Many Achi speakers also use Spanish, but older people and those from rural villages may not be confident in it.

Our Achi interpreters work mainly by video, through the SILA Linguists® app or your own platform, and by telephone, which you can book day or night throughout the year. Hearings, solicitor meetings and hospital appointments are interpreted consecutively, and we can arrange relay through Spanish where it gives the best match. Clients may ask for a female or male interpreter, which can matter in family, health and protection cases.

Achi translation and certified translation

Achi is written in Guatemala's official Mayan alphabet, in which the apostrophe marks glottalised consonants such as k', q', t' and tz'. Those apostrophes change meaning, so our translators keep them in every name, place and word. We translate statements, letters and information leaflets into and out of English, and can add an audio version where readers are more comfortable listening than reading.

Guatemalan birth certificates, identity documents and court records are issued in Spanish. Our certified translations from Spanish carry a signed statement of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities such as courts, the Home Office, immigration tribunals and universities, and by employers, so the whole bundle stays with one team.

Transcription and language analysis

We transcribe recorded interviews and evidence in Achi with time stamps and English translation, marking where speakers switch into Spanish or K'iche'. Heritage projects connected with the Rabinal Achí dance-drama, a celebrated part of Achi cultural heritage, can also ask for transcription and subtitling. Where an asylum case raises questions about a person's origin, we can arrange language analysis for the determination of origin (LADO).

Where we can help in Achi

Our vetted, trained and qualified Achi linguists can support immigration and asylum services, courts and solicitors, hospitals and community health teams, social services and cultural organisations. With SILA Linguists®, one project team coordinates interpreters, translators and documents, all bound by confidentiality agreements and UK GDPR.