Most people likely recognize that the nation’s capital is a multilingual city with diverse translation needs. However, far fewer people are likely to list Dinka, Tzotzil, or Tok Pisin among the languages that first spring to mind. Nevertheless, these lesser-spoken tongues are emblematic of a wider truth: Washington DC’s language needs are deep, specialist and ever-changing.
As migration patterns shift, international relations evolve, and digital tools reshape how we work, DC’s organizations – from federal agencies to NGOs and hospitals – are increasingly seeking high-quality interpreting and translation for both widely spoken languages (think: Spanish, French, or Arabic) and far rarer ones. In this article, we’ll focus our attention on the industries most in need of translation services in 2025, as well as the languages that are featuring more prominently in the capital.
Industries seeking translation services in DC
1. Government and foreign affairs
Unsurprisingly, federal government departments remain the single biggest buyers of language services in DC. Embassies, consulates, defense and intelligence units, as well as agencies involved in immigration processes, all require certified translations. Given the fast pace and heavy compliance demands of these projects, teams generally look for linguists with a proven track record working on similar assignments.
2. Health and mental health services
Hospitals, community clinics, and mental-health providers rely on interpreters every day to explain diagnoses, obtain consent, and run therapy sessions. The boom in telehealth after the pandemic has made remote interpreting a practical option, but for complex or sensitive clinical work, many providers still prefer an in-person interpreter due to the various nuanced and non-verbal cues that form key elements of communication.
Translating medical documents and reports in advance means that clinicians have access to the full patient history and saves time during the consultation. Hospitals look for translators who have expertise in the highly specific vocabulary found in medical documents.
3. The legal sector
Legal teams need interpreters and translators who know the job, the room, and the consequences of getting it wrong. In practice, that means providing accurate, verbatim interpreting for client interviews, depositions, and sworn testimony; producing certified translations of contracts, affidavits, and evidence; and working to courtroom protocol, whether that’s in person or over a secure video link.
Good legal linguists arrive prepared and familiar with the case glossary, while keeping a strictly neutral stance and, of course, handling confidential documents securely. In DC’s courts and law firms, clients expect linguists with verifiable legal experience or court-approved credentials.
4. NGOs, international development, and humanitarian organizations
Non-profits operating both locally and overseas need linguists who can move accurately between community languages and policy English. Whether conducting field research, running community consultations, or producing multilingual educational materials, NGOs value interpreters who double as cultural mediators.
5. Tech, policy research, and think tanks
Washington’s policy and tech ecosystems increasingly rely on user research, localization, and multilingual content to reach international audiences. Behavioural research, UX testing, and data collection often need locally trained interpreters and translators, especially when projects involve minority-language communities.
Across these sectors, the common theme is the need for more than literal translation: organizations want interpreters who understand context, culture, and the consequences of a clunky mistranslation.
Emerging languages to watch in 2025 (and why they matter)
While the likes of Spanish, Mandarin, and French remain ever-present, several less prominent languages have seen a rise in requests across the capital over the past couple of years. This reflects geopolitical events as well as a more general trend whereby organizations go the extra mile to ensure linguistic and cultural inclusivity. Here are some of the languages to look out for:
- Karen
Many Karen speakers come from communities in Myanmar and Thailand, and Washington DC’s refugee-support groups, clinics, and community organizations increasingly work with Karen families. Demand rises when local resettlement programs and community networks grow, so hospitals and social services often look for Karen interpreters for medical appointments, school meetings, and outreach services.
- Hakha Chin
Hakha Chin is spoken by people from Chin State in Myanmar; growing diaspora communities in United States have created more need for linguists who can work in healthcare, education, and local social services. Hakha Chin (and other Chin languages) are distinct from Burmese and are less commonly available, so they usually require specialist interpreters familiar with the specific dialect and community norms. Capital Linguists works with a network of experienced Hakha Chin interpreters across Washington, DC, as well as further afield.
- Kirundi
This language from the Great Lakes region (Rwanda and Burundi) is increasingly requested by NGOs, community health providers, and settlement services as East African communities expand. Kirundi interpreters, who know local idioms and cultural contexts, help build trust in clinical and social-care settings.
- Amharic
Amharic, Tigrinya https://capitallinguists.myconcept.website/tigrinya-interpreting-translation-services/, and other East African languages are increasingly required by social and health services – particularly in the context of refugee resettlement and community services.
About Capital Linguists
Capital Linguists specializes in supplying vetted, sector-experienced interpreters and translators for Washington, DC, and beyond, including hard-to-find languages such as Karen, Hakha Chin, Amharic, and more. Contact us to discuss bespoke solutions for your rare-language projects.
