Kurdish Ardalani interpreting and translation

Ardalani interpreting with an Iranian Kurdish ear

An interpreter who speaks Sorani from Iran, ideally from Sanandaj or Kurdistan province, usually suits Ardalani speakers best. Sorani speakers from Iraq can communicate with them, but differences in vocabulary, pronunciation and Farsi loanwords can matter in a credibility interview or a psychiatric assessment, and we take that into account.

We arrange face-to-face interpreting for asylum interviews, legal advice, GP and hospital appointments and community services. Remote interpreting widens the pool considerably: our phone interpreters are available around the clock, and video sessions run through the SILA Linguists® app or your own platform. A female or male interpreter can be requested where the subject is sensitive, and if the client prefers Farsi, we provide a Farsi interpreter instead.

Ardalani, Sorani and Farsi translation

Ardalani is written right to left in the Kurdish Arabic-based alphabet used for Sorani. Kurdish-language material for Ardalani readers can follow standard written Sorani, with local vocabulary where the audience requires it, and we discuss that with you at the outset.

Official documents from Iran are in Farsi, so a client's shenasnameh, diplomas or court papers are translated by our Farsi team, signed as accurate, and accepted by UK authorities such as tribunals and universities, and by employers. Into Kurdish we prepare health leaflets, appointment letters and community information. Names of people and places are checked against existing records, so a client's name is spelt the same way in Farsi, Kurdish and English throughout the file.

Transcription and LADO

We transcribe Ardalani recordings and interviews with timings, mark passages in Farsi and supply an English version. Because Iranian Kurdish asylum claims often turn on where a person grew up, SILA Linguists® can also commission LADO, analysing whether their speech fits Sanandaj and its surroundings.

Sectors we support in Ardalani

Our vetted, trained and qualified Ardalani linguists can support asylum and immigration representatives, NHS and community healthcare, and local authority and voluntary sector services. A single coordinator handles your request, linguists are vetted and sign non-disclosure agreements, and personal data is kept safe under UK GDPR.