Looking for expert Somali translation services? Since 2003, Green Crescent has been providing professional translation services between English and Somali to clients worldwide. We specialize in areas such as legal, cultural, business, and academic sectors. Our team delivers accurate, high-quality translations tailored to your specific needs. Get a fast, free Somali translation quote today!
Our Comprehensive Somali Translation Services
Green Crescent’s skilled team of Somali translators includes subject matter experts for industry-specific needs. We provide translations based on Standard Somali, which is primarily used in Somalia and the Somali diaspora. Standard Somali is the official written form, ensuring consistency and clarity in our translations.
We specialize in both English to Somali and Somali to English translations, offering the following services:
Simple Translation
Our simple translations in the English/Somali language pair are designed for basic communication needs. These translations are completed by a single Somali 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 Somali text.
Standard Translation (TEP)
Our Standard Somali 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 Somali communications.
Organization Critical Translation (TEP+)
Our Organization Critical Somali 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 Somali translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) process.
Bilingual Editing
Bilingual Editing for Somali Translation is the process of editing a translated text by comparing both the source and target texts in the English/Somali language pair. The editor, fluent in the source language and a native speaker of Somali, ensures that the translation is accurate, consistent, and faithful to the source text while also maintaining clarity and fluency in Somali. 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 Somali and Somali 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 Somali 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 Somali 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 Somali 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 Somali language. Green Crescent is equipped to accommodate requests for localized Somali translation, ensuring that your content resonates with the intended audience. Our experienced linguists are well-versed in the nuances of Somali, allowing us to provide translations that are not only accurate but also culturally relevant and engaging. By focusing on the unique linguistic characteristics of Somali, we help you effectively connect with your audience and enhance the impact of your message.
Website, App, and Software Localization for Somali
At Green Crescent, we leverage our extensive experience in software development to provide specialized Somali localization services. We excel in adapting your website, app, or software’s content, design, and functionality for Somali-speaking audiences. Whether you need a fully multilingual solution or specific adaptations for Somali, 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 Somali-speaking regions while adhering to platform-specific guidelines. Let us help you create an engaging and culturally relevant experience for your Somali-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 Somali/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 Somali 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 Somali 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 Somali 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 Somali to English or English to Somali 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 Somali- and English-speaking markets.
Transcreation
Our Somali Transcreation Service goes beyond simple translation by creatively adapting your content to resonate with Somali-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 Somali, helping your brand connect meaningfully and effectively with Somali-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 Somali 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 (Somali 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 Somali
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 Somali 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 Somali language services, including interpretation, transcription, website design and development, and desktop publishing.
About the Somali Language
Somali, known locally as "Af-Soomaali," is the official language of Somalia and is spoken by over 20 million people, primarily in Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. It is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family and serves as a crucial medium of communication across the Horn of Africa. Somali has a rich oral tradition, including poetry and storytelling, which plays an essential role in preserving cultural values and history.
The Cultural Context, History, and Linguistic Features of Somali
Somali is deeply embedded in the culture of the Somali people, whose history of nomadic pastoralism, trade, and migration has influenced the language's development. Oral poetry is a cornerstone of Somali culture, with a long tradition of complex forms such as *gabay*, *geeraar*, and *buraanbur*, used to convey political, social, and moral messages. Somali also plays a significant role in religious discourse, as it is used alongside Arabic in Islamic contexts.
Linguistically, Somali is characterized by its tonal nature and complex morphological system. Like other Afro-Asiatic languages, Somali has a rich consonant inventory and a system of vowel length, where the length of a vowel can change the meaning of a word. Somali also uses grammatical gender (masculine and feminine) and an intricate system of noun cases, which affect how words are used in sentences.
The Writing System: Latin Script
Somali is written using the Latin alphabet, which was officially adopted in 1972 as part of a national literacy campaign. Prior to this, Somali was written in various scripts, including Arabic and an indigenous script called Osmanya. The Latin script is now the dominant system, and it has greatly facilitated education and communication in the Somali-speaking world.
Vowels and Consonants: Somali has five vowel sounds, which can be either short or long, and the length of the vowel can affect the meaning of words. The consonant system includes several pharyngeal and glottal sounds, which are not found in many other languages, making Somali phonetically distinct.
Somali Alphabet
The Somali alphabet, written in the Latin script, includes both capital and lowercase letters:
- Vowels: A, a, E, e, I, i, O, o, U, u
- Consonants: B, b, D, d, F, f, G, g, H, h, J, j, K, k, L, l, M, m, N, n, Q, q, R, r, S, s, Sh, sh, T, t, W, w, X, x, Y, y
Key Linguistic Differences Between Somali and English for Translation
When translating between Somali and English, several important linguistic features must be taken into account to ensure accurate and culturally sensitive translations:
Tonal Language: Somali is a tonal language, meaning that pitch and tone can change the meaning of words. This tonal aspect is not present in English, so translators must rely on context to convey the correct meaning when tone is involved in Somali.
Vowel Length: In Somali, the length of vowels is phonemic, meaning that short and long vowels can distinguish between different words. For example, the word "xas" (village) and "xaas" (wife) differ only in vowel length. This distinction must be carefully handled in translation to ensure accuracy.
Gender and Case System: Somali uses grammatical gender, where nouns are either masculine or feminine, and this affects the agreement with adjectives and verbs. Additionally, Somali has a system of noun cases, including nominative, accusative, and genitive, which determine the role of the noun in the sentence. English does not have a case system, so translators must find appropriate ways to reflect these grammatical nuances.
Word Order: Somali typically follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order, while English uses a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. Translators must carefully adjust word order to preserve the meaning and flow of the original text.
Loanwords and Arabic Influence: Due to Somalia’s Islamic culture and historical trade ties with the Arab world, Somali has borrowed extensively from Arabic. Many religious, legal, and administrative terms come from Arabic, and these words may have nuanced meanings that need to be carefully translated into English.
Pronunciation of Consonants: Somali includes unique sounds such as the voiceless pharyngeal fricative "x" and the voiced pharyngeal fricative "c," which are not present in English. While these sounds do not necessarily affect the meaning of a word, they are important for the correct pronunciation of Somali words.
By considering these linguistic and cultural differences, Green Crescent ensures that translations between Somali and English are accurate, culturally appropriate, and sensitive to the linguistic intricacies of the Somali language.
An Insight into Somali Expression
This passage is from Aqoon iyo Afgarad by Maxamed Ibraahim Warsame "Hadraawi", one of the most iconic figures in Somali literature, reflecting themes of wisdom, knowledge, and the human experience.
- Somali: "Aqoon la'aani waa iftiin la'aan, waa nolol la'aan."
- English Translation: "Lack of knowledge is lack of light, it is lack of life."