Prism Linguistics arranges Tama interpreters across Canada, almost always by telephone and video, and supports the translation that Tama speakers need. Tama is a language of eastern Chad and the neighbouring Darfur region of Sudan, and the work in Canada is tied mainly to refugee and asylum matters. Sessions are served by telephone and video, with in-person work where a Tama interpreter can be scheduled locally.
The first thing we do at booking is confirm the claimant's preferred language and the interpreting requirements, since Tama is an oral Nilo-Saharan language and is sometimes mislabelled as Arabic on a file. We then source a Tama interpreter, which can take longer than for a widely spoken language, and this matters in an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing, where a claimant's account should be rendered in the language they think in.
For Canadian courts and tribunals we confirm what the specific court will accept, since interpreter requirements vary by province and case type. In healthcare the interpreter gives a full, neutral rendering so consent and history stay accurate, which matters in trauma-affected settlement work. Sessions run by telephone or video, and where more notice is needed to reach a suitable Tama interpreter we say so at once so the hearing date can be planned around it.
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 translation for Tama speakers almost never runs from Tama itself, because Tama is an oral language with no widely used written standard, and civil records in Chad and Sudan are issued in Arabic, or in French for Chad. So a birth or marriage record, where one exists, will be an Arabic or French document, and we confirm the source language before quoting. We deliver a full English or French translation with a signed certificate of accuracy, or a sworn affidavit before a commissioner of oaths where the receiving body prefers one.
A practical reality of Tama files is that official records are often absent, in areas affected by conflict, so asylum work leans on personal statements and affidavits rather than certificates. We translate whatever documents exist, represent approximate dates honestly rather than inventing them, and keep any name transliteration consistent with variants noted for the officer. Acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution, such as IRCC or the IRB.
For documents rather than spoken interpreting, see certified Tama translation, our full Tama 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 Tama 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 Tama translation in the same cities:
Or browse every city we cover.
Tama is a Nilo-Saharan language spoken by around 80,000 people in eastern Chad and western Sudan (Darfur). It is mainly an oral language, and civil records from the region are issued in Arabic or French. Our Tama translation work is typically tied to IRB refugee claims and IRCC asylum-related paperwork, with Tama itself needed most often for interpreting.
Yes. A Tama interpreter is sourced case by case, usually by telephone or video, and may take longer to arrange than a widely spoken language. Tell us the date and setting as early as possible and we confirm what is available.
Yes. Tama is a distinct language, and we confirm the claimant's preferred language at booking so the hearing is interpreted in Tama rather than in a language assumed from the country of origin.
No. Tama is mainly an oral language, so civil records from Chad and Sudan are in French or Arabic. We translate those directly, and for asylum files we also prepare personal statements. 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 Tama interpreter and a firm price.