Mandinka interpreting and translation

Mandinka interpreters, not near neighbours

A Gambian Mandinka speaker is best served by a Mandinka interpreter rather than a Bambara or Maninka one, even though the languages are related, and the English term Mandingo can mean several things, so we confirm exactly what the client speaks. Many Gambian clients also use Wolof and English, and Senegalese clients often speak French or Wolof; where people switch between languages, our interpreters agree at the start which one the session will use.

Respectful forms of address, especially towards elders, are important, and many clients prefer an interpreter of the same gender for health and family matters. We arrange this for asylum interviews, police interviews, court hearings, maternity appointments, school and family support meetings. Telephone interpreting is available 24 hours a day on every day of the year, video interpreting runs through the SILA Linguists® app or your organisation's video system, and on-site interpreting can be booked for hearings and clinics. Community health events can be covered consecutively.

Translation, audio materials and certified documents

We choose the Gambian or Senegalese spelling convention according to your readers, and Ajami or N'Ko versions can be produced if raised early. Because many speakers are more used to spoken than written Mandinka, audio and video often work best for community information, and we can record translated health messages.

Official documents from The Gambia are in English, from Senegal in French and from Guinea-Bissau in Portuguese. We provide certified translation from French and Portuguese, signed with a statement of accuracy and completeness that the Home Office and other UK authorities accept, as do employers.

Mandinka transcription and LADO

Interviews and recorded evidence in Mandinka are transcribed with time codes and translated into English, with Wolof, French or English passages marked. For asylum claims, SILA Linguists® offers language analysis to establish origin (LADO). Recordings can also be subtitled for community screenings.

Where we can help in Mandinka

Our vetted, trained and qualified Mandinka linguists can support immigration and asylum teams, police and courts, NHS maternity services, schools, family support services and public health campaigns reaching Gambian and Senegalese communities. Every booking is handled by one project team, and signed confidentiality agreements and UK GDPR protect the people involved.