We’re all familiar with the most in-demand languages when it comes to interpretation needs; Spanish, Mandarin, or French probably all immediately spring to mind. Yet rare languages like Karenni or Dinka – spoken by much smaller populations and with a limited pool of qualified interpreters – present interpreters with some additional challenges.
Of course, there is still the same need for linguistic mastery, but in addition, rare language interpreters also need a particularly heightened sense of cultural awareness because, in many cases, the interpreter becomes a key cultural mediator.
That’s not all; it’s also essential that these highly specialized linguists are armed with the resourcefulness to adapt in situations where formal training materials or glossaries are likely to be lacking. So, from Karenni to Dinka, and many more in between, read on to discover what’s truly involved when interpreting rare languages…
What is a rare language?
To begin, let’s examine exactly what is meant by the term “rare language”. While there is no universally accepted definition, a rare language usually refers to one with fewer than 1 million native speakers – and some, such as Chuukese, may have far fewer (around 45,000, in this language’s case). Additionally, there is usually little or even no digital presence, adding to the challenges confronting linguists who handle these languages.
Rare languages often face a significant threat, since they are rarely taught in schools (with many educational institutions favoring the use of dominant languages such as English or Spanish). Moreover, their speaker communities are likely to be small, dispersed, and often comprised of elderly individuals. There may also be a lack of written documents, as well as little to no representation in mainstream media.
Let’s take a look at some concrete examples of the challenges these minority languages face:
In the spotlight: Karenni
Karenni is spoken by around half a million people in the Kaya State of Myanmar. It is classed as critically endangered, and Karenni faces various challenges – not least, the fact that there is no standardized written script. For most of its existence, Karenni has been a spoken language. Today, when required, written documents are usually recorded either using Burmese script, or sometimes the Latin alphabet. This makes preservation efforts difficult, as it is challenging to teach and pass on formally.
In addition, many Karenni people have been forced to flee Myanmar, owing to decades of violent conflict. Settling in refugee camps in Thailand, or emigrating to countries such as the US or Australia, the Karenni people have found themselves learning the dominant languages of their new countries, such as English or Thai.
Karenni interpretation services
Given these additional complexities, it’s little wonder that Karenni interpretation services are not only in high demand but also particularly difficult to source. Given these additional complexities, it’s little wonder that Karenni interpretation services are not only in high demand but also difficult to source.
With such a limited pool of linguists available, Karenni interpretation is often carried out via telephone. This service enables linguists to reach Karenni speakers who live in rural areas that are difficult for in-person interpreters to reach in a hurry, providing remote communities with fair access to healthcare, legal representation and education.
In the spotlight: Dinka
Dinka is not just one but rather a group of languages, which are predominantly spoken in South Sudan. Like Karenni, Dinka stems from a primarily oral tradition, with limited literacy rates among its speakers.
Another obstacle for Dinka interpreters and translators lies in the significant variations between the different dialects. In fact, these differences are so marked that dialects are not mutually intelligible, so a Dinka interpreter with a strong command of one dialect (let’s say, Dinka Rek) may struggle to understand someone speaking another one (Dinka Agar or Dinka Bor). It’s important to specify which Dinka dialect will be required and ensure that your Dinka interpreter is familiar with it.
Like many languages with a predominantly oral tradition, Dinka dialects are tonal. This means a slight change in the pronunciation (or tone) can completely transform the meaning of a word. When there is no standardized written form, this use of tone can become even more critical, placing considerable demands on the interpreter’s precision and listening skills.
Dinka interpretation services
Due to its strong oral tradition, Dinka has limited written resources, making it exceptionally difficult for non-native speakers to learn. As a result, Dinka interpreters are typically native speakers who have gone on to learn English. Being a native speaker provides advantages when interpreting in sensitive contexts and understanding the backgrounds of many Dinka speakers.
Indeed, due to geopolitical events in South Sudan, it is sadly the case that many of those in need of Dinka interpretation services have endured trauma, whether from seeking asylum, first-hand experience of war, or displacement. This means an interpreter’s role is not purely linguistic, but also cultural and emotional.
Rare language services from Capital Linguists
Interpreting rare languages presents a unique set of challenges, from Karenni to Dinka, Chuukese (spoken in Micronesia) to Zapotec (spoken in Oaxaca, Mexico), along with many, many more.
Capital Linguists works with an extensive network of interpreters who specialize in rare and endangered languages. These highly skilled linguists understand the complexities and nuances involved to allow precise communication to take place between speakers of minority languages and English speakers. If you need interpretation assistance for a rare language (or any of the 200+ languages we serve), don’t hesitate to reach out; we’d be delighted to hear from you!
