Prism Linguistics arranges Malagasy interpreters and certified translation across Canada. Malagasy is the language of Madagascar and, unusually for the region, an Austronesian language rather than an African one; the official standard is based on the Merina variety spoken around Antananarivo. Canadian demand is modest and often involves immigration and civil-records work, so interpreting is frequently provided by telephone and video.
Last reviewed September 6, 2026 by the Prism Linguistics editorial team
Malagasy has several regional varieties, and while the Merina-based standard is widely understood, a speaker from a coastal region may use different vocabulary, so we note the speaker's home area at booking. Many Malagasy speakers also use French, which is widely spoken in Madagascar, so we confirm whether the appointment is best served in Malagasy, French or both.
The live settings are mainly IRCC interviews, Immigration and Refugee Board hearings and medical or community appointments, where the interpreter keeps to a complete and neutral rendering. Given the small community we usually arrange this remotely; we are a private agency, not a court-appointed vendor, and will say plainly if a Malagasy interpreter is not available for a 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.
Malagasy is written in a Latin alphabet, and official records from Madagascar are often bilingual in Malagasy and French, so certified translation may work from either language into English. We read the source carefully, since the two languages can carry different details on the same certificate.
The records we see most are birth, marriage and family certificates, the civil-status extract, identity papers, and school and university documents. 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, matching names to the passport spelling; acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution.
For documents rather than spoken interpreting, see certified Malagasy translation, our full Malagasy 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 Malagasy 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 Malagasy translation in the same cities:
Or browse every city we cover.
Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar, with around 25 million speakers. Linguistically it's an Austronesian outlier - closely related to languages of Borneo, not to African languages - reflecting Madagascar's settlement by Austronesian-speaking voyagers around 1,500 years ago. The Malagasy-speaking community in Canada is small and concentrated mainly in Montreal, reflecting Madagascar's francophone ties, with smaller numbers in Toronto and Ottawa. Our Malagasy translation work is occasional and typically tied to IRCC civil documents, academic transcripts, or business contracts. Malagasy uses the Latin alphabet.
They can. The Merina-based standard is widely understood, but coastal speakers may use different vocabulary, so we note the speaker's home area at booking. Many speakers also use French, so we confirm the best language for the appointment.
Either or both. Records are often bilingual, and the two languages can carry different details, so we read the whole source and translate what the receiving body needs into English.
Yes, usually by telephone or video given the small community. Tell us the date and setting; we are a private agency, not a court-appointed vendor, and confirm availability case by case.
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 Malagasy interpreter and a firm price.