Prism Linguistics arranges Kekchi interpreters and certified translation across Canada. Kekchi, more often written Q'eqchi', is a Mayan language of highland Guatemala and southern Belize. Kekchi interpreting is provided by telephone and video across Canada and on site where an interpreter is within reach.
Q'eqchi' is a Mayan language in its own right, not a dialect of Spanish, so an interpreter in the actual language matters at an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing where the claim rests on the claimant's own account. Tell us where the speaker is from, as neighbouring Mayan languages such as Poqomchi' or the K'iche' group are separate and not interchangeable.
The live settings are chiefly IRB refugee hearings and detention reviews, IRCC interviews and legal-aid and medical appointments. The interpreter renders testimony in full and neutrally, which is central to a credible claim. We arrange this on site where an interpreter is within reach or remotely, and we will say plainly if a Q'eqchi' interpreter cannot be sourced for a given date.
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.
Q'eqchi' is written with a Latin-based Mayan alphabet, but civil records in Guatemala are issued in Spanish, so certified translation for these files runs from Spanish into English rather than out of Q'eqchi'. We read older and rural records carefully, as registration wording and name forms vary.
For the Spanish-language documents that usually accompany a Q'eqchi' speaker's file - birth, marriage and death certificates, the national identity document (DPI), police records and supporting statements - we provide a certified translation with a signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy, or a sworn affidavit before a commissioner of oaths where one is requested. Names, including Mayan surnames, are matched to the passport spelling; acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution.
For documents rather than spoken interpreting, see certified Kekchi translation, our full Kekchi 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 Kekchi 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 Kekchi translation in the same cities:
Or browse every city we cover.
Kekchi (Q'eqchi') is a Mayan language spoken by around 800,000 people in the highlands and Peten region of Guatemala, plus parts of southern Belize. It's one of the largest Mayan languages by speaker count. Our Kekchi translation work covers refugee-protection, family-court, healthcare and school documentation, with speakers served through our national interpreter network.
No. Q'eqchi' is its own Mayan language, and neighbouring languages such as Poqomchi' and the K'iche' group are separate. Tell us the speaker's language and region when you book so a Q'eqchi' interpreter is assigned.
Yes. Civil records are issued in Spanish, so translation runs from Spanish into English. We provide a certified translation with a signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy, or a sworn affidavit where required.
Yes, by telephone or video anywhere in Canada or on site where an interpreter is within reach. Tell us the date and setting, and we will confirm what we can source.
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 Kekchi interpreter and a firm price.