Prism Linguistics can arrange Tobian interpreting and translation across Canada, though requests are very rare. Tobian, known to its speakers as Ramari Hatohobei, is a Micronesian language of Tobi and the outlying islands of Palau, with only a few hundred speakers in the world, so there is effectively no community in Canada and any request is handled remotely and case by case.
Last reviewed September 6, 2026 by the Prism Linguistics editorial team
With so few speakers worldwide, a Tobian interpreter cannot be assumed to be available, and we will tell you honestly at the outset whether one can be sourced for a given date rather than take a booking we cannot fill. Most Tobians also speak Palauan and often English, so in practice an appointment can frequently be handled in one of those languages, and we will discuss the realistic options with you.
Where a Tobian speaker genuinely needs the language, we work by telephone or video and confirm the speaker's island and background so the right person is found if one is reachable. The interpreter renders speech in full and neutrally. 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.
Tobian is chiefly a spoken language and is rarely written for official purposes, so documents in Tobian are almost never seen; records for a Tobian family are normally issued in English or Palauan, and translation runs from those rather than from Tobian. Where a rare Tobian-language text exists we work from it with a suitable translator and mark anything uncertain.
For the English or Palauan records that usually make up such a file - civil certificates, identity papers and school documents - we provide a certified translation where one is needed, with a signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy or a sworn affidavit before a commissioner of oaths. Acceptance ultimately depends on the receiving institution.
For documents rather than spoken interpreting, see certified Tobi translation, our full Tobi 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 Tobi 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 Tobi translation in the same cities:
Or browse every city we cover.
Tobi (Hatohobei) is a Micronesian language spoken by under 50 people on Tobi Island in Palau -- one of the world's smallest speaker communities. The language is critically endangered. Our Tobi translation work is essentially non-existent in normal operations.
Sometimes, but with only a few hundred speakers worldwide we cannot assume one is available. We check honestly for your date and say plainly if we cannot source one, rather than take a booking we cannot fill.
Often yes. Most Tobian speakers also use Palauan and frequently English, so we discuss the realistic options with you before arranging anything.
Almost never, as Tobian is rarely written officially. Records are usually in English or Palauan, and we provide a certified translation of those where needed. 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 Tobi interpreter and a firm price.