O'odham interpreting and translation

O'odham interpreting for elders

Most O'odham speakers are older adults, and English in Arizona or Spanish in Sonora is now the main language for many younger people. Interpreting is therefore most often needed for elders in healthcare, legal or community settings, where a speaker may wish to explain matters in their first language even though they also speak English. We ask the client's preference and respect it.

Dialect differences between Tohono and Akimel O'odham are modest but noticeable, so we note the community. Tribal language departments are often the best route to qualified community interpreters, and we are glad to work alongside them. Remote video, on the SILA Linguists® app or your platform, is usually the practical choice, and telephone sessions can be arranged at any hour. Medical consultations and tribal court hearings are interpreted consecutively, at a pace that suits older speakers, and a male or female interpreter can be requested.

O'odham translation and certified translation

O'odham has two spelling systems: the Alvarez-Hale orthography, adopted by the Tohono O'odham Nation, and the older Saxton system. Communities may have firm preferences, so we confirm the system before translating health information, signage, cultural materials or teaching resources, and we can review existing texts for consistency.

Where O'odham letters, recordings or statements are needed as evidence, we can certify the English translation with a signed accuracy statement. Spanish documents from Sonora can also be translated and certified, accepted by UK authorities such as courts and universities. Where a translation must be filed with a US agency, we supply a signed certificate of accuracy with it.

Transcription for revitalisation and heritage

Tribal language programmes, schools and community colleges teach O'odham to new generations, and recordings of elders are central to their work. In Mexico only a few speakers remain, which makes every recording precious. We transcribe interviews, stories and songs with time codes and an English version, using the orthography the community prefers, and can subtitle educational video.

Settings for our linguists in O'odham

Our vetted, trained and qualified O'odham linguists can support healthcare and elder care providers, tribal courts and legal advisers, schools, colleges and language programmes, museums and cultural heritage projects. SILA Linguists® assigns one coordinator to each project, and every linguist signs a confidentiality agreement and follows data protection law, including UK GDPR. O'odham interpreters can support tribal, county and federal settings in the United States, including courts, health services and benefit appointments, alongside work in the UK.