Looking for expert Kurdish translation services? Since 2003, Green Crescent has been providing professional translation services between English and Kurdish to clients globally. We specialize in fields such as government, legal, medical, and academic sectors. Our team ensures precise, high-quality translations tailored to your specific needs. Get a fast, free Kurdish translation quote today!
Our Comprehensive Kurdish Translation Services
Green Crescent’s skilled team of Kurdish translators includes subject matter experts for industry-specific needs. We provide translations tailored to both major Kurdish dialects, including:
- Kurmanci (Northern Kurdish)
- Sorani (Central Kurdish)
We specialize in both English to Kurdish and Kurdish to English translations, offering the following services:
Simple Translation
Our simple translations in the English/Kurdish language pair are designed for basic communication needs. These translations are completed by a single Kurdish translator without the involvement of an editor or proofreader, and therefore should not be considered final or polished work for most professional or formal use cases. While they are typically of high quality, simple translations are essentially "rough drafts" that do not go through additional editing, proofreading, or other quality control processes. These translations are ideal for personal letters, informal communications, initial drafts that will later be revised, or for situations where you need to quickly understand the general meaning or "gist" of a Kurdish text.
Standard Translation (TEP)
Our Standard Kurdish Translation service is designed to provide high-quality translations for everyday use, including business correspondence, websites, reports, presentations, and similar content. This service includes translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) to ensure the highest level of accuracy and clarity in your Kurdish communications.
Organization Critical Translation (TEP+)
Our Organization Critical Kurdish Translation service is designed for situations where perfection is essential. This option is recommended for texts intended for large-scale printing, technical documents, legal contracts and patents, medical documents, or any case where an error could be critical or costly. Each translated line is reviewed by a minimum of three linguists, with multiple rounds of proofreading. Subject matter experts (SMEs) may be involved as needed throughout the Kurdish translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) process.
Bilingual Editing
Bilingual Editing for Kurdish Translation is the process of editing a translated text by comparing both the source and target texts in the English/Kurdish language pair. The editor, fluent in the source language and a native speaker of Kurdish, ensures that the translation is accurate, consistent, and faithful to the source text while also maintaining clarity and fluency in Kurdish. This step occurs after the initial translation in our TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) Organization Critical and Standard Translation services. We also offer this service as a standalone option for translations completed by individuals or organizations not affiliated with Green Crescent.
Proofreading
With each additional round of editing and proofreading, the error rate of a document approaches the perfection horizon. Our proofreading service for English to Kurdish and Kurdish to English translations involves reviewing a single-language text to identify and correct surface-level errors, such as spelling mistakes, grammar issues, punctuation errors, and formatting inconsistencies. This step is the final phase in our TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) Organization Critical and Standard translation services. We also offer proofreading as a standalone service for translations completed by individuals or organizations not affiliated with Green Crescent.
Legal Translation
Green Crescent's elite team of linguists, each with subject matter expertise in specialized legal fields, is ready to assist you with the translation of a wide range of judicial, administrative, and private legal documents between Kurdish and English. Nearly all countries recognize that submitting documents for translation does not compromise attorney-client privilege. Furthermore, we can implement enhanced security measures to ensure strict confidentiality upon request.
Technical Translation
Technical translations involve any text that features specialized vocabulary or language registers, necessitating additional research and terminology verification. Common technical subject matter includes legal, medical, scientific, engineering, and IT topics, but any text that utilizes industry-specific terminology or neologisms may be considered technical in nature. These translations cannot be executed by generalists alone; they require the expertise of linguists with in-depth knowledge of the relevant technical field in both Kurdish and English.
Medical Translation
Green Crescent has established protocols to ensure compliance with HIPAA and HITECH regulations, which you can learn more about here. Our Kurdish medical translations are treated as "organization critical," unless otherwise specified, and we are committed to implementing the necessary digital security measures and legal safeguards for every project subject to HIPAA and HITECH requirements. Our team of skilled linguists, specialized in medical terminology, ensures that your translations are both accurate and secure.
Localization
Our translation services are tailored for specific target markets that require non-standard varieties or dialects of the Kurdish language. Green Crescent is equipped to accommodate requests for localized Kurdish translation, ensuring that your content resonates with the intended audience. For example, we offer translations in dialects such as "Kurmanci" (Northern Kurdish) and "Sorani" (Central Kurdish). Our experienced linguists are well-versed in the nuances of these dialects, allowing us to provide translations that are not only accurate but also culturally relevant and engaging. By focusing on the unique linguistic characteristics of each Kurdish dialect, we help you effectively connect with your audience and enhance the impact of your message.
Website, App, and Software Localization for Kurdish
At Green Crescent, we leverage our extensive experience in software development to provide specialized Kurdish localization services. We excel in adapting your website, app, or software’s content, design, and functionality for Kurdish-speaking audiences. Whether you need a fully multilingual solution or specific adaptations for Kurdish, our services encompass translating text, adjusting images, and modifying layouts. We also adapt and program code for both mobile and desktop applications, ensuring that your app functions seamlessly across Kurdish-speaking regions while adhering to platform-specific guidelines. Let us help you create an engaging and culturally relevant experience for your Kurdish-speaking users.
Back-translation
Back-translation is often a crucial component of the quality control process, particularly when translating highly technical documents or for critical translations in the Kurdish/English language pair where an error could have significant consequences. This process involves an independent linguist translating a previously translated text back into its original source language—either Kurdish or English—without reference to the original document. The resulting text is then compared to the original translation to verify its intelligibility, accuracy, and suitability for its intended use. Back-translation is also relevant in situations such as the translation of legal documents, medical texts, and marketing materials, where precise wording is essential. It can be particularly beneficial when adapting content for different cultural contexts, ensuring that the intended message is preserved and resonates appropriately with the target audience in both Kurdish and English.
Peer Review
Green Crescent offers professional focus group services that include a comprehensive "read-through" conducted by one or more linguists who were not involved in the original translation process. This approach allows for an unbiased assessment of the translation's quality, style, and overall fitness for its intended purpose. The focus group can evaluate various aspects of the text, including linguistic accuracy, cultural relevance, and the effectiveness of the messaging in reaching the target audience. Feedback is provided on how well the translation conveys the original intent and nuances of the source material, ensuring that it resonates with readers in both Kurdish and English contexts.
SME Review
Subject Matter Expert (SME) review is a specialized form of peer review conducted by non-linguist professionals with deep expertise in specific fields. This process is particularly important for Kurdish to English or English to Kurdish translations of highly technical texts, ensuring that the content is both linguistically accurate and technically precise. In fields such as legal, medical, scientific, and engineering, SMEs help verify the correct use of industry-specific terminology, adherence to regulatory or technical standards, and the contextual relevance of the translated material. By incorporating SME review into the translation process, we ensure that your final product is not only fluent and culturally appropriate but also technically sound and ready for professional use in both Kurdish- and English-speaking markets.
Transcreation
Our Kurdish Transcreation Service goes beyond simple translation by creatively adapting your content to resonate with Kurdish-speaking audiences. At Green Crescent, we ensure that your brand’s messages, campaigns, and communications maintain their original intent, emotional impact, and tone, while aligning with the cultural and linguistic nuances of the target market. Whether it’s marketing, branding, or advertising, we reimagine your content to feel authentic and compelling in Kurdish, helping your brand connect meaningfully and effectively with Kurdish-speaking audiences.
MTPE-Full (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Full)
MTPE-Full (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Full) refers to the comprehensive post-editing of a machine-translated text between Kurdish and English, ensuring the final product meets the highest standards of linguistic quality. In this process, once the machine generates the translation, a skilled human editor thoroughly reviews the entire content, ensuring that it is not only accurate in meaning but also flows naturally and fluently in the target language. This detailed editing process includes correcting grammar, syntax, and terminology, adapting the text for the intended audience, and ensuring it adheres to any stylistic preferences or regulatory requirements. MTPE-Full is suitable for business-critical texts where precision and quality are paramount.
MTPE-Light (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Light)
MTPE-Light (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Light) is a more streamlined version of post-editing, designed for situations where speed and cost-efficiency are prioritized over linguistic perfection. In this process, the human editor focuses primarily on fixing major errors and ensuring that the overall meaning of the machine-translated text is clear and understandable in the target language (Kurdish or English). While MTPE-Light may not deliver a translation that is fully polished or ready for publication, it provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for internal documents, reports, and communications where basic comprehension is sufficient.
Additional Language Services and Options for Kurdish
Certified Translation
Green Crescent provides certified translations of a wide range of legal documents, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, diplomas, school transcripts, passports, and much more, in both Kurdish and English. Our certified translations are recognized for their accuracy and compliance with legal standards, making them suitable for official use. You can receive hard copies of our standard certificate of translation mailed directly to your home or business.
Rush Service
If you require expedited service, Green Crescent can usually accommodate such requests. However, please note that rushing translations often comes with trade-offs, which may affect both price and consistency. Please consult with a project manager for more details.
Discounts
Volume discounts are available for large projects, long-term clients, and for non-profits, charities, NGOs, and government organizations.
Minimum Fee
There is a minimum project fee of $75.00 USD per language, which can be reduced or waived for regular clients.
Additional Language Services
In addition to translation, Green Crescent offers a range of other Kurdish language services, including interpretation, transcription, website design and development, and desktop publishing.
About the Kurdish Language
Kurdish, known locally as "Kurdî," is an Indo-Iranian language spoken by approximately 30 million people, primarily in regions of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. It is divided into two major dialects, Kurmanci (Northern Kurdish) and Sorani (Central Kurdish), each with distinct linguistic and cultural traits. Both dialects are used in education, media, and government in the respective regions.
The Cultural Context, History, and Linguistic Features of Kurdish
Kurdish has a deep cultural and literary tradition, with its roots in the oral traditions of the Kurdish people. It is rich in proverbs, poetry, and folk stories. Kurdish literature began flourishing in the early 20th century, as writers and poets began recording works in both Kurmanci and Sorani. Notable figures like Ehmedê Xanî, with his epic "Mem u Zin," contributed to the literary landscape and helped shape the Kurdish identity.
The Kurdish language is unique in its complex grammar and rich vocabulary, with influences from Arabic, Turkish, and Persian. This diversity makes it both a versatile and challenging language to translate, as linguistic nuances often need to be carefully handled to retain cultural authenticity.
The Writing System: Latin and Arabic Scripts
Kurdish is written in two main scripts depending on the region. Kurmanci, spoken primarily in Turkey and Syria, uses the Latin script, while Sorani, used mainly in Iraq and Iran, is written in a modified Arabic script. This dual script usage presents a unique challenge when translating between Kurdish and English, as the translator must consider both script and dialect variations.
Vowels and Consonants: The Latin-scripted Kurmanci uses 31 letters, including some unique characters like "ç," "ş," and "ê," which do not exist in the English alphabet. Sorani, on the other hand, uses the Arabic script but has its own phonetic system, distinct from the original Arabic. This requires translators to be familiar with both scripts and to adjust accordingly based on the target audience.
No Capitalization in Sorani: Unlike English and Kurmanci, Sorani does not have uppercase or lowercase letters, which simplifies the writing system but adds complexity in terms of readability and emphasis in translation.
Kurdish Alphabet
Kurdish uses two main alphabets depending on the dialect. Kurmanci is written using the Latin alphabet, while Sorani is written using a modified Arabic script. Here's an overview of both systems:
- Kurmanci Alphabet (Latin script): A, a, B, b, C, c, Ç, ç, D, d, E, e, Ê, ê, F, f, G, g, H, h, I, i, Î, î, J, j, K, k, L, l, M, m, N, n, O, o, P, p, Q, q, R, r, S, s, Ş, ş, T, t, U, u, Û, û, V, v, W, w, X, x, Y, y, Z, z
- Sorani Alphabet (Arabic script): The Sorani alphabet is based on Arabic but includes additional letters for Kurdish sounds. It contains 33 characters used to represent vowels and consonants specific to the Sorani dialect, including: ﺍ (A), ﺋ (E), ﺏ (B), ﭺ (Ch), ﺩ (D), ﺭ (R), ﺯ (Z), ﮊ (Zh), ﺳ (S), ﺷ (Sh), ﻁ (T), ﻋ (A’), ﻐ (Gh), ﻓ (F), ﻕ (Q), ﻛ (K), ﻟ (L), ﻣ (M), ﻧ (N), ﻭ (W), ﻫ (H), ﻳ (Y)
The script and alphabet differences between Kurmanci and Sorani require specialized knowledge when translating, as the scripts are not interchangeable, and the meaning of words can shift depending on context and dialect.
Key Linguistic Differences Between Kurdish and English for Translation
When translating between Kurdish and English, several critical linguistic differences must be addressed to ensure accurate and culturally relevant translations. Below are some of the major considerations:
Sentence Structure: Both Kurdish dialects follow a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) sentence structure, whereas English follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. For example, in English, "I saw the man" becomes "Ez ew mêr dîtim" in Kurmanci, with the verb placed at the end. This structural difference can significantly alter the flow and readability of translated content.
Gendered Nouns: In contrast to English, Kurdish does not have gendered nouns. However, adjectives and verbs in Kurdish may vary based on plurality or definiteness, which adds a layer of complexity when translating certain concepts.
Verb Conjugation: Kurdish verbs are highly inflected and include conjugations based on tense, mood, and subject. For instance, the verb "to go" in English translates to different forms in Kurdish depending on the tense: "Ez diçim" for "I am going" and "Ez çûm" for "I went." These conjugations must be carefully managed in translation to maintain accuracy.
Politeness Levels: Kurdish, particularly in formal writing, includes different levels of politeness depending on the context, similar to many other languages. These levels must be carefully conveyed in translation, as they can impact the tone and intent of the text.
Cultural Considerations in Kurdish Translation
Translating Kurdish requires a deep understanding of Kurdish cultural and historical contexts. The language reflects the values and traditions of the Kurdish people, and translations must respect these nuances. For example, Kurdish proverbs and idioms often carry rich meanings that extend beyond their literal translation, requiring contextual adjustments to convey the intended message accurately in English.
By addressing these linguistic and cultural nuances, Green Crescent ensures that Kurdish translations are both accurate and culturally resonant, whether for legal documents, business communication, or creative content. Our approach ensures that your message reaches Kurdish-speaking audiences effectively and authentically.
An Insight into Kurdish Wit and Expression
This passage is from Mem u Zin by Ehmedê Xanî, first published in 1692. Although centuries old, this epic work is a cornerstone of Kurdish literature, continuing to resonate in the 20th century for its portrayal of love, honor, and Kurdish identity.
- Kurdish (Kurmanci): "Ev dîrok ji dil û evîna kurd dipeyvin."
- English Translation: "This story speaks of the heart and the love of the Kurds."