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Swahili Interpreting and Translation Services

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Swahili Interpreting & Translation Services

There is a growing need for Swahili translations and interpreting services in America as Swahili is a recognized African Language of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The need for accredited interpreters for Americans looking to do business with Africa is due to immigrants conducting international business.

African ex-pats and immigrants to America also need documents translated from Swahili to English.

Swahili or Kiswahili?

Swahili refers to people, their culture, and their language. The spoken language of the Swahili people is Kiswahili. The prefix (Ki) in Kiswahili means 'language'. Swahili has become an accepted synonymous reference to Kiswahili over time. Traditional Swahilini culture's origin is the ancient city-state of Lamu situated off the north coast of Kenya Africa.

Swahili Language Info Graphic

Swahili Variants & Dialects

Swahili is not just one dialect of many but is its own official language with about 100 different dialects. 

The Swahili Language Origin

Swahili is considered a Bantu language but it's roots are more Arabic than than Bantu. Kiswahili was originally influenced by Arabic because the Swahili people traded with Arab merchants.

Countries Spoken

The Swahili language is spoken in several countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

In other parts of Africa, where there are increased influences from Arabic languages, Swahili's vocabulary has been expanded to include more Arabic words. As a result of this linguistic diversity, Swahili is not spoken simply by one group of people but is rather the official language of several countries.

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Swahili's Need For Translation

According to the most recent census data available on the United States Census Bureau website, there are an estimated 57,185 speakers of Swahili language in the United States.

Swahili has recently become more widely known in America because it has been recognized as an African Language. Many non-speaking Swahili immigrants need to be able to understand documents like leases, bills, and other materials that are meant for them in another language. Additionally, Swahili speakers in America will sometimes need an English speaker to translate and understand documents and conversations that they do not understand in their native tongue.

Swahili has also been recognized as a valuable language when doing business within Africa. This means it is important to be able to conduct business meetings with Swahili speakers and understand documents written in Swahili.

In addition, there are certain types of Swahili documents that need the service of an English speaker. These include all forms of correspondence, signs, notices, or other documents that need to be translated into English for an American audience. Documents like these might be found in hospitals, airports, and other public places where Swahili speakers are common.

Swahili has become an important language to be familiar with in America because of the number of Swahili speakers who live here. As well, there is a growing need for all American businesses and organizations to be able to understand written Swahili documents and conduct business meetings in Swahili.

Swahili To English

Although Swahili is recognized as its own language, it still shares many similarities with other languages. This means that your translations can often be done more quickly and efficiently if they are conducted by one of CIT's professional translators with extensive experience in multiple languages.

For Swahili to English translations, contact us today! We can help you with all your translation needs via telephone or email (use our request form to make initial contact). Order a translation of any kind from Swahili to English or from English to Swahili today!

According to the most recent census data available on the United States Census Bureau website, there are an estimated 57,185 speakers of Swahili language in the United States.

Interesting Swahili Facts

  • Swahili The famous quote “hakuna matata” from the film The Lion King is a quote in Swahili meaning “no worries.”
  • Other familiar words from Lion King in Swahili are: Simba=Lion, Nala=Gift, Rafiki=Friend, and Pumba=stupid
  • Most people who speak Swahili are Muslim
  • Swahili cuisine is known to use spices heavily
  • The Swahili people love folklore
  • It is standard to live in an intergenerational household

CIT By The Numbers

12,000 +

Worldwide Linguists

250 +

Languages

1,350,000 +

Translations

12,000 +

Clients Served

12,000 +

Worldwide Linguists

250 +

Languages

1,350,000 +

Translations

12,000+

Clients Served

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