Mende interpreters and translators wherever you are in the UK, for solicitors, tribunals, hospitals, therapists and local authorities: face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting, certified translation between Mende and English, and a booking line that stays open 24/7.
- 8,000+ linguists
- 350+ languages
- Bookings 24/7, every day of the year
- Free quotes
Mende interpreting services
Mende has regional dialects, the best known being Kpa Mende in the west and Ko Mende in the east, and speakers of each understand one another without much trouble. What matters more when you book is the person's life story: a Mende speaker from Bo or Kenema, one who grew up in a refugee camp, and one from the Liberian side of the border will each bring a different mix of Krio, English and local words. Temne is a separate language, not a dialect of Mende, and speakers of one cannot simply follow the other. Most appointments run consecutively. Remote interpreting by video widens the choice of interpreter considerably for a language this rare in Britain.
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 Mende 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 Mende translation
Nearly all official paperwork from Sierra Leone and Liberia is written in English, so a Mende translator is more often asked to work on personal material: letters from family, church or community documents, recorded phone calls and interview transcripts. We transcribe audio in Mende first and then translate it, and each translator works into their own native language. Where a UK body needs it, we supply a certified English translation.
In the 1920s Mende was given a script of its own, Kikakui. It is rarely seen now, but if an old family document uses it, send us a clear image and we will tell you whether we can help.
- 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 Mende audio and video recordings, with an English translation if you need one.
English to Mende translation
For Mende readers in the UK, keep sentences short and choose everyday words over technical ones, because most adults were schooled in English and read Mende less often. Written Mende uses the letters for the open e and open o vowels, and a good translation keeps them so the text is read correctly. For wide reach, pair the written version with an audio recording.
Mende court and police interpreters
Asylum appeals, family court and criminal cases are where a Mende interpreter is most often needed in the UK legal system. We look for Mende interpreters with legal experience, and where interpreters exist for Mende who hold the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (Law) or are registered with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI), we put them forward first. For a rare language, a court may accept a remote interpreter by video link, which can make an earlier hearing date workable.
How to book a Mende 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 Mende language
Mende is a Mande language of the Niger-Congo family, spoken mainly in southern and eastern Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
Mende is written in the Latin alphabet.
| Name in Mende | Mɛnde yia |
|---|---|
| Language family | Mande language of the Niger-Congo family |
| Where it is spoken | Southern and eastern Sierra Leone, and Liberia |
| Writing system | Latin alphabet |
| Language code | men |
Related languages
Mende interpreters near you
We send Mende 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.
Mende interpreter and translator FAQs
How quickly can I book a Mende 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 Mende interpreters work nearby.
How much does a Mende 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.
Can you certify Mende 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.
Do you provide Mende 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 Mende interpreter with the right legal experience and qualifications.
