Working with a language that appears on fewer than a handful of interpreter rosters or in a niche academic journal is different from translating French menus or Mandarin textbooks. Yet, for many businesses, government agencies, and community organizations, those rare languages are the key to building trust, safety, and clarity.
In this piece, we’ll explore how Capital Linguists handle rare language translation and interpretation, from sourcing an experienced Tigrinya interpreter to delivering flawless English-to-Cape Verdean Creole translations.
Why rare languages matter (and why “good enough” quite simply isn’t!)
Rare languages matter because they are living libraries. Each one brings with it unique ways of seeing the world, along with many stories, songs, sources of knowledge and identities that vanish if the language disappears. Translating or interpreting them is harder not just because there are fewer textbooks or bilingual dictionaries, but because many rare tongues lack standardized spelling, modern vocabulary or written records, and their meanings are entangled within specific customs and local histories.
A single word often has no neat equivalent in a major language, so the linguist must become a careful listener, cultural detective, and relationship-builder all at the same time. Add in the practical hurdles – tiny speaker communities, little training data for machine tools, and ethical concerns about who decides how a language is recorded – and you see why working with rare languages is slow, delicate, and deeply human work.
When a language is rare in the commercial market, the margin for error shrinks. A single mistranslation in a patent filing, a consent form, or medical report can have amplified consequences. Equally, many of the communities who speak these minority, often vulnerable, languages rely on accurate information in order to access vital services. That’s why our approach treats every rare-language assignment as both a linguistic task and a risk-management exercise.
How we source specialist linguists
The first step is seemingly simple: find the right person. But “right” means much more than simply someone who speaks both languages fluently. For a regionally specific language like Tigrinya, we don’t just search for any speaker; we look for certified Tigrinya interpreters who are able to combine language skill with specific sector experience (whether that’s medical, legal, technical, or another area). If our client requires Oromo interpreter services, we prioritize linguists with proven consecutive or simultaneous interpreting skills (depending on the brief), plus local dialect knowledge.
For linguists handling extremely uncommon languages – think an Akateko translator or Purépecha language translator – sourcing can take longer. We draw on university networks, as well as NGOs, diaspora communities, and accredited freelancers. All our interpreters have a relevant postgraduate qualification, and we carry out extensive verification of credentials. Where necessary, we also check whether the linguists have experience with the specific register or association; courtroom interpreting, for instance, is a different process entirely from subtitling.
Vetting: Much more than language ability
A candidate who speaks a language fluently is only the beginning. Capital Linguists has been awarded ISO 17100 certification, a professional standard that specifically covers vetting and recruitment processes. This means language ability is, of course, essential, but it’s only one quality among several that we assess when selecting the linguists we work with.
As well as language knowledge, we also assess the following:
- Specialist knowledge
For patents, trademarks, or assignments involving intellectual property, we need translators who understand technical terminology, not just the language itself. This is where a Purépecha language translator with a background in engineering, or a Dinka interpreter who has worked on agricultural projects, becomes invaluable.
- Ethical and confidentiality standards
We make sure our interpreters and translators adhere to specific codes of conduct suitable for sensitive contexts. Confidentiality is always sacrosanct.
- Certifications and record-keeping
Some clients need a signed certificate or accuracy, for example when dealing with government organizations, official bodies, or legal documents. We confirm whether a linguist can provide a certified translation.
Tools and processes that support rare language work
You might assume that computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and translation memories are only useful for common languages. This is not the case; these tools are highly useful with all repeat work, for instance, an ongoing project translating community outreach materials into Cape Verdean Creole or building a glossary for Karen interpreters.
They save time (by “remembering” how the same term was translated earlier in the document) and preserve consistency. We can create glossaries – essentially, small, bespoke style guides – for each rare-language project, to ensure terms (and therefore meanings) don’t drift between documents within the same project.
Quality assurance
With all languages, quality assurance is critical. At Capital Linguists, we add an extra layer of security, by having a second translator and an additional proof reader review the work. Sometimes, this takes the form of a back-translation, which means a second linguist translates the target-language version back into the source language.
At Capital Linguists, we are passionate about the world’s languages and make it our mission to preserve these fascinating rare tongues that have so many stories to tell, and so much knowledge to communicate. If you need support with translation or interpretation involving one of the world’s rarer languages, get in touch with the team today!
