Prism Linguistics provides professional French interpreters and certified French translation across Canada, working into English or from English into French as a file requires. French is one of Canada's two official languages, and beyond Quebec and the francophone communities of Ontario, the Prairies and Acadian Atlantic Canada, it is the civil-record language of France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Haiti and much of West and Central Africa. That range is the defining feature of French work: documents and speakers reach us from many countries, each with its own layout and variety.
Last reviewed September 6, 2026 by the Prism Linguistics editorial team
French interpreters work in Immigration and Refugee Board hearings and IRCC interviews, Canadian courts and tribunals, hospital and clinic appointments under PHIPA and PIPEDA, and settlement, legal-aid and school meetings. We confirm the speaker's regional variety, because French from France, Canadian French, African French and Haitian French differ in accent and vocabulary, and matching the right one keeps an appointment clear.
Some speakers move between French and another language, such as Arabic, Wolof or a Creole, within a single conversation, so we note that at booking and confirm which language should lead. Interpreting is available on site in the major centres and by telephone or video anywhere in Canada, with the interpreter bound to confidentiality. We are a private agency, not a court-appointed vendor.
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.
Certified French translation covers birth, marriage and death certificates, the family record book known as the livret de famille, diplomas and transcripts, driving licences, police and court records, and notarial deeds. Because an African, European or Caribbean issuer sets these out differently, a translator reads the specific format rather than assuming a single template, and a certified translation is sometimes required even between Canada's two official languages.
We match the spelling of names and places to your passport and IRCC file so a French document and your Canadian records read as the same person. A translation is issued by a certified translator or, where a body prefers, carried by a sworn affidavit or a declaration before a commissioner of oaths, and acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution.
For documents rather than spoken interpreting, see certified French translation, our full French 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 French 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 French translation in the same cities:
Or browse every city we cover.
French is one of Canada's two official languages, with more than 7 million native speakers centred on Quebec and strong communities in New Brunswick (Acadian French), Ontario (Franco-Ontarian), and across the country. Canadian French differs from European French in vocabulary, pronunciation, and legal-document conventions, and Quebec's Office quebecois de la langue francaise (OQLF) sets terminology standards that official and commercial documents are expected to follow. Worldwide, French has around 300 million speakers and is one of the United Nations' six official languages. Because federal institutions operate bilingually and immigration paperwork arrives steadily from francophone Africa and Haiti, we match each project to a translator who knows the variant the receiving authority expects - Quebec French, Acadian French, or European French.
Often yes for an English-language setting, since IRCC or a court may require an English translation, and we can also translate from English into French. Acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution.
Yes. We read the different layouts used in France, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, and match name and place spelling to your passport.
Yes. We arrange French interpreters for IRB hearings, IRCC interviews and court settings, on site in the larger centres or by telephone and video across Canada.
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 French interpreter and a firm price.