Marshallese interpreting and translation

Marshallese interpreting with cultural awareness

Marshallese has two main dialects, named after the country's two chains of atolls: Ralik in the west and Ratak in the east. They differ in some vocabulary and pronunciation but are mutually intelligible, and most interpreters work comfortably with both; we note the client's atoll when it is relevant. Marshallese interpreting is often needed in courts and public services wherever Marshallese families have settled.

Marshallese communication values politeness and indirectness, and respect for elders and chiefly families matters. Clients may hesitate to disagree openly, so our interpreters take care to render hesitation and qualification accurately rather than turning a polite 'maybe' into a firm 'yes'. Many Marshallese learned English at school, yet legal, medical and financial terminology can be unfamiliar.

We provide Marshallese interpreters by telephone around the clock, by video through the SILA Linguists® app or your own system, and face to face where local interpreters are based. Court hearings, school meetings and employment discussions are interpreted consecutively, and a male or female interpreter can be requested.

Marshallese translation

The modern standard spelling uses letters with cedillas and macrons, such as m̧, ļ, ņ, o̧, ā, ō, ū and n̄, which need careful font and encoding support; older and informal writing often omits them. We agree the convention with you and check that the characters display correctly in print, on websites and in text messages. Health, school, court and housing information are typical projects. Official documents from the Marshall Islands are often in English, and where Marshallese letters or statements are needed in evidence, we certify the English translation with a signed statement of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities such as the courts and the Home Office. Where an American agency needs a Marshallese item in English, we attach a signed translator's certificate of accuracy.

Transcription and subtitling

We transcribe Marshallese interviews, calls and meetings with time codes and an English version, and subtitle health and education video for communities in Arkansas, Hawaii and beyond.

Settings for our linguists in Marshallese

Our vetted, trained and qualified Marshallese linguists can support courts, hospitals and public health programmes, schools, social services, housing providers and employers. SILA Linguists® gives every request a dedicated coordinator, and each linguist signs a confidentiality agreement and follows UK GDPR. Marshallese interpreting is available for US hospitals and clinics, courts, schools and public benefit offices, by video or telephone wherever families have settled.