Prism Linguistics arranges Damara, or Khoekhoegowab, interpreting and translation across Canada, tied mostly to IRCC files and refugee hearings for Namibian applicants. The community here is very small, so support is almost always arranged remotely by telephone and video. Because Namibia issues its civil records in English, the language matters far more for spoken interpreting than for paperwork.
Last reviewed September 6, 2026 by the Prism Linguistics editorial team
Interpreting is the more likely need, usually an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing or an IRCC interview, and occasionally a medical appointment. Khoekhoegowab is shared by the Damara and Nama communities with some vocabulary differences, so we note at intake which the speaker uses, and we match accordingly rather than assuming one covers both.
Requests are occasional and the community in Canada is small, so an interpreter is most often assigned by telephone or video, which lets us reach a genuine Khoekhoegowab speaker wherever the appointment is. Where one can attend in person we arrange it; otherwise we cover the session remotely. Prism Linguistics is a private agency, not a court-appointed body, and we do not overstate demand that is not there.
Common settings include legal and court interpreting, medical and hospital interpreting, IRCC and Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) interviews, and police and enforcement work. See all on-site interpreting options or start a free quote.
Damara speakers use Khoekhoegowab, a Khoe language of Namibia known for its click consonants, which the modern spelling writes in the Latin alphabet using letters and symbols for the clicks. Namibia issues civil records in English, so in practice a Namibian file usually arrives already in English and there is often no Khoekhoegowab paper to translate.
Where a document, sworn statement or personal record genuinely exists in Khoekhoegowab, we translate it into English, render the click letters and names carefully, and report the issuing office as printed. For IRCC use a translation should come from a certified translator or carry a sworn affidavit before a commissioner of oaths. Acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution, such as IRCC, the IRB or a provincial registry.
For documents rather than spoken interpreting, see certified Damara translation, our full Damara translation services, or general document translation. Every translation moves through our TEP workflow — translation, editing and proofreading by separate linguists — with free revisions.
An interpreter attends in person for hearings, medical appointments and meetings. On-site interpreting
Same-day, often within minutes, for calls, intake and urgent situations. Phone interpreting
Telehealth, remote hearings and sign language, anywhere in Canada. Video interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting for events and multilingual meetings. Conference interpreting
Legal consultations, settlement services and private appointments. Private interpreting
ASL and LSQ interpreting for accessible appointments and events. Sign language
We arrange Damara interpreters in cities across every province and territory — on site in the major centres and by telephone or video everywhere else:
Need documents translated locally? We provide certified Damara translation in the same cities:
Or browse every city we cover.
Damara is a Khoekhoe (Khoisan-family) language spoken by around 200,000 people in Namibia, primarily by the Damara people - a long-established Namibian ethnic group with their own distinctive history. The language is notable for click consonants, written with special characters. There is no notable Damara-speaking community in Canada; translation requests are extremely rare and typically academic or anthropological rather than practical document translation, with speakers served through our national interpreter network.
Usually not for the documents themselves, since Namibia issues records in English. Damara, or Khoekhoegowab, is more often needed as spoken interpreting for a hearing or an appointment. We translate any record that genuinely exists in the language.
We can, though the community is small, so it is usually by telephone or video anywhere in the country. Tell us whether the speaker is Damara or Nama, since the shared Khoekhoegowab language has some vocabulary differences.
We issue translation by a certified translator or with a sworn affidavit before a commissioner of oaths. Prism Linguistics is a private agency, not an accredited government body, and acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution.
Tell us the language, the setting and the date through our quote form or by phone. We return a written quote with the exact price and turnaround, usually within 60 minutes during business hours, before you commit.
Tell us the setting, the city and the date, and we will confirm a qualified Damara interpreter and a firm price.