Prism Linguistics arranges Mambae interpreters and Mambae translation across Canada. Mambae, also written Mambai, is an Austronesian language of the mountainous interior of East Timor, written in the Latin alphabet where it is written at all. Mambae interpreting is handled almost entirely by telephone and video.
Mambae interpreting arises mainly in refugee, family-reunification and settlement matters. Mambae is distinct from Tetum and Portuguese, the official languages of Timor-Leste, so when a booking comes in we check the client's preferred language and the requirements of the hearing or interview first, and assign a Mambae interpreter on that basis.
Mambae interpreters are assigned by telephone and video, reaching appointments anywhere in Canada, with availability confirmed for each date. In healthcare the interpreter keeps to a complete, neutral rendering under PHIPA and PIPEDA privacy rules, and we give as much notice as possible for a hearing so a suitable interpreter can be found.
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.
Portuguese and Tetum are the official languages of Timor-Leste, so civil records such as birth, marriage and death certificates are issued in Portuguese or Tetum rather than Mambae. In practice document files are usually Portuguese or Tetum to English or French translation, and Mambae-only material tends to be personal or community records.
Where translation is needed we provide it with a signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy, or a sworn affidavit before a commissioner of oaths if the receiving body asks. Acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution such as IRCC, a provincial registry or a Canadian court.
For documents rather than spoken interpreting, see certified Mambae translation, our full Mambae 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 Mambae 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 Mambae translation in the same cities:
Or browse every city we cover.
Mambae is an Austronesian language spoken by around 200,000 people in central and eastern East Timor. East Timor's official languages are Tetum and Portuguese, so most Timorese civil documents are in those languages. Our Mambae translation work is rare, since Timorese documents are usually issued in Tetum or Portuguese and are translated from those languages.
Usually Portuguese or Tetum, the official languages, rather than Mambae. Most files are therefore Portuguese or Tetum to English or French translation, which we handle with a Certificate of Translation Accuracy or a sworn affidavit.
Yes, by telephone or video. Give as much notice as possible so a suitable Mambae interpreter can be found.
Yes. Mambae and Tetum are separate languages, so tell us which one the client prefers and we arrange the Mambae interpreter and the interpreting arrangements to suit the appointment.
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 Mambae interpreter and a firm price.