Interpreters and translators for Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi and the other Bihari languages, anywhere in the UK. We provide face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting, certified translation between the Bihari languages and English (and from Hindi, in which most papers from Bihar are written), and bookings taken 24/7.
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Bihari interpreting services
Which Bihari language someone speaks usually follows where they grew up. Bhojpuri belongs to western Bihar and the neighbouring part of Uttar Pradesh; Maithili to the north of the state and across the border in Nepal's Terai; Magahi to south Bihar, around Patna, Gaya, Nalanda and Jehanabad; and Angika and Bajjika have their own districts too. A professional interpreter should be a speaker of the right one, particularly for anything long or sensitive, and Hindi, the language of schooling across Bihar, is the usual fallback when nobody is available. Consecutive interpreting suits most appointments, and video helps us reach the few interpreters there are.
Face-to-face interpreting
The interpreter comes to you: a hospital ward, a courtroom, a council office, a home visit or a business meeting. It is the best choice when people need to read expressions as well as words, or when the conversation is long or sensitive.
Telephone interpreting
The quickest option to set up. It works well for short calls, triage, appointment reminders and quick checks with a client.
Video interpreting
A Bihari interpreter joins by video for remote hearings, consultations and meetings, which helps when there is no interpreter near you.
We also provide medical interpreting and conference interpreting.
Certified Bihari translation
Our translators each translate into their native language, and English versions are produced by native English speakers. In practice, most documents from Bihar are in Hindi, the state's language of government and education, or in Urdu, which has been Bihar's second official language since 1981; some are in English. Older family and land papers can be harder. Before Devanagari took over, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Maithili were widely written in Kaithi, which was even the official script of Bihar's law courts in the 1880s, and Bihar's own courts now struggle to read old Kaithi records. Tell us if you have one, and we will look for a translator who can.
- Certified translation of birth, marriage and death certificates, passports, driving licences, degree certificates and bank statements, for the Home Office, courts, universities and employers.
- Legal translation: witness statements, court bundles, contracts and immigration papers.
- Document translation of medical reports, letters, leaflets and patient information.
- Urgent translation when a deadline is close.
- Transcription of Bihari audio and video recordings, with an English translation if you need one.
English to Bihari translation
A request to translate into "Bihari" almost always ends up as Hindi, because that is the language people from Bihar are taught to read and write. The exception is Maithili, which has its own written standard and has been one of India's scheduled languages since 2003, so a Maithili reader may prefer a text in Maithili. Bhojpuri and Magahi are written in Devanagari too, but most of their speakers are more used to reading Hindi, so for a leaflet or letter we would normally advise Hindi, with a spoken explanation in the home language where it helps.
Bihari court and police interpreters
For police interviews and hearings, find out the person's first language, and whether they are fully comfortable in Hindi, well before the day. We look for interpreters with legal experience who speak the language concerned and, where interpreters holding them exist for Bhojpuri, Maithili or Magahi, the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (Law) or registration with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI). For the smaller Bihari languages that may not be possible, and we will say so rather than overstate what is available. If Hindi is used instead, it should be the person's informed choice, noted on the record.
How to book a Bihari interpreter
- Tell us about the assignment: the date, time and address, or that you need telephone or video; how long it should last; and what it is for, such as a hospital appointment, a hearing or a business meeting.
- Tell us about the speaker: their country or region and, if you know it, their dialect. Mention any preference for a male or female interpreter.
- Get your quote. We email you a quote, with no obligation to book.
Call 0800 2425 125, email info@uklinguisticservices.co.uk or request a quote online.
About the Bihari languages
Bihari is a group of Indo-Aryan languages, spoken mainly in Bihar and neighbouring states of India, and southern Nepal.
Bihari is written in Devanagari. Varieties include Bhojpuri, Maithili and Magahi.
Before you book: Bihari is a group of languages rather than one. Tell us whether the speaker uses Bhojpuri, Maithili or Magahi; most also speak Hindi.
| Language family | Group of Indo-Aryan languages |
|---|---|
| Where it is spoken | Bihar and neighbouring states of India, and southern Nepal |
| Writing system | Devanagari |
| Language code | bh |
Related languages
Bihari interpreters near you
We send Bihari interpreters to appointments across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and telephone and video interpreting work wherever you are. Choose a town for its local page.
Bihari interpreter and translator FAQs
How quickly can I book a Bihari interpreter?
We take bookings 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Telephone and video interpreting are usually the quickest to arrange. For a face-to-face appointment, give us as much notice as you can: same-day cover is often possible, but it depends on where you are and how many Bihari interpreters work nearby.
How much does a Bihari interpreter cost?
The price depends on the type of interpreting (face-to-face, telephone or video), how long the appointment lasts, where it is and how much notice you give. We quote before anything is booked, and quotes are free: call 0800 2425 125 or use our online quote form.
Does the Bihari dialect matter when booking an interpreter?
It can. Bihari varieties include Bhojpuri, Maithili and Magahi. Tell us where the speaker is from, or the dialect they use, so the interpreter is a good match for them.
Can you certify Bihari translations for a UK visa or immigration application?
Yes. We translate and certify documents such as birth and marriage certificates, passports and police certificates for visa, settlement and citizenship applications. UK Visas and Immigration asks for each translation to confirm that it is accurate and to show the date and the translator's full name, signature and contact details, so tell us when you order that the document is for an immigration application. Because Bihari is not written in the Latin alphabet, send us the passport spelling of every name so the translation matches it.
Do you provide Bihari interpreters for courts, tribunals and police interviews?
Yes. Tell us the setting when you book, for example a Crown Court trial, an immigration tribunal hearing or a police interview under caution, so we can match a Bihari interpreter with the right legal experience and qualifications.
