Pohnpeian interpreting and translation

Pohnpeian interpreting and honorific speech

Pohnpeian is known for its honorific speech, a special set of words and expressions used when speaking to or about chiefs and people of high status, reflecting the island's traditional chiefly system. Our interpreters understand this register and the respect expected in formal situations, particularly when clients are older people or hold traditional titles. Getting it wrong can cause offence and undermine trust in a court or clinic.

Many Pohnpeians speak English as a second language, but proficiency varies and technical terms in legal, medical and benefits settings can be unfamiliar. In healthcare and family matters some clients prefer an interpreter of the same gender, which we arrange on request. Telephone and video interpreting are the most reliable options for Pohnpeian: phone interpreters can be reached at any hour, and video sessions run through the SILA Linguists® app or the platform your service uses. Court hearings and social care assessments are interpreted consecutively. Where a client is a titled elder, the interpreter is briefed beforehand on the appropriate forms of address, so that respect is shown from the first sentence.

Pohnpeian translation

Pohnpeian has a standard spelling, using doubled vowels for length and h after some vowels and consonants, though informal writing varies. We follow the standard, unless you ask otherwise, when translating health, court and community information, school letters and social services notices into plain Pohnpeian.

Official documents from the FSM are usually in English. Where Pohnpeian letters, messages or statements are needed as evidence, we translate them into English and certify the translation with a signed statement of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities such as courts. Evidence for a US court or agency is translated with a signed certificate of accuracy from the translator.

Transcription and subtitling

We transcribe Pohnpeian recordings, such as interviews, calls and community meetings, with time codes and an English version, and subtitle health and education video for Micronesian communities in Hawaii, Guam and the mainland.

Sectors we support in Pohnpeian

Our vetted, trained and qualified Pohnpeian linguists can support courts and legal advisers, hospitals and clinics, social services and schools. SILA Linguists® assigns one coordinator to each request, and every linguist signs a non-disclosure agreement and follows UK GDPR, so families can discuss personal matters with confidence. Our Pohnpeian interpreters can join medical, legal and school appointments in Hawaii, Guam and elsewhere in the United States, as well as UK services.