Sotho (Southern Sotho, or Sesotho) interpreters and translators for hospitals, law firms, local authorities and universities anywhere in the UK. We arrange face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting, provide certified translation between Sotho and English, and take bookings 24/7, with a quick check first on whether you need Southern or Northern Sotho.
- 8,000+ linguists
- 350+ languages
- Bookings 24/7, every day of the year
- Free quotes
Sotho interpreting services
English speakers often say Sotho where the speakers themselves say Sesotho, and a request under either name reaches the same interpreters. Before we confirm, we check two things. First, that the person does not in fact speak Northern Sotho (Sepedi), a separate language with its own interpreters. Second, where they learned their Sotho: in Lesotho, where it is the language of almost everyone, or in South Africa, where a speaker may switch between Sotho, isiZulu and English within one sentence. An interpreter used to both will follow that switching without asking the speaker to slow down or tidy it up. Most appointments are interpreted consecutively, and video is a sound choice when nobody can travel.
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 Sotho 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 Sotho translation
Many Basotho names carry an everyday meaning. Lerato means love and Palesa a flower, and a translator will keep them as names rather than translating them. Certified Sotho translation is mostly needed for statements, personal letters and supporting evidence, since identity documents from Lesotho and South Africa are generally already in English. Each translator we use works only into their native language.
When you send a document, tell us where it will be used in the UK, whether that is a court, the Home Office, a university or an employer, so the certification matches what they will accept.
- 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 Sotho audio and video recordings, with an English translation if you need one.
English to Sotho translation
English into Sotho is most often requested for health information, safeguarding letters and tenancy notices. Choose Southern Sotho for readers from Lesotho or the Free State; for readers from Limpopo, order Northern Sotho instead, which we treat as a separate job. Short sentences and familiar words serve readers better than a formal, literary style.
Sotho court and police interpreters
A court listing that says "Sotho" deserves a phone call to the solicitor before the hearing, to rule out Northern Sotho and confirm the speaker's background. For legal work we look for Sotho interpreters with courtroom or police station experience and, where any Sotho interpreters hold them, the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (Law) or entry on the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI). Qualified interpreters are few, so early notice makes a real difference.
How to book a Sotho 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 Sotho language
Sotho usually means Sesotho (Southern Sotho), the language of Lesotho. See also our Sesotho interpreter and translator page.
Sesotho is a Sotho-Tswana (Bantu) language, also called Southern Sotho. It is spoken mainly in Lesotho and South Africa, especially the Free State and Gauteng. Sesotho is an official language of Lesotho and of South Africa.
Sesotho is written in the Latin alphabet.
Before you book: Lesotho and South Africa spell Sesotho slightly differently, so tell us which country a document is for.
| Language family | Sotho-Tswana (Bantu) language, also called Southern Sotho |
|---|---|
| Where it is spoken | Lesotho and South Africa, especially the Free State and Gauteng |
| Writing system | Latin alphabet |
| Language code | st |
Related languages
Sotho interpreters near you
We send Sotho 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.
Sotho interpreter and translator FAQs
How quickly can I book a Sotho 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 Sotho interpreters work nearby.
How much does a Sotho 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 Sotho 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 Sotho 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 Sotho interpreter with the right legal experience and qualifications.
