If you need an accurate, trustworthy interpreter for a language such as Uzbek or Armenian, it’s not always obvious where to begin – and it can be hard to know whether the person really has professional interpreting skills or just some background in the language. In this blog, we’ll help you understand both languages and what to consider when choosing an interpreting service.
The stories behind Uzbek and Armenian
Let’s begin by exploring the two languages we’re focusing on in this blog – Uzbek and Armenian. They come from very different backgrounds, yet both have been shaped by Russian influence and share a similar reliance on loanwords:
- Uzbek is a Turkic language that belongs to the agglutinative family, spoken mainly in Uzbekistan and across parts of Central Asia. It is mostly written in a Latin-based script (Cyrillic is still used by many speakers), and its vocabulary shows clear influences from Persian, Arabic, and Russian. Over time the writing system has shifted — traditionally written in Arabic script, then Cyrillic in the Soviet era, and officially in a Latin alphabet since the 1990s — so you’ll see different scripts in use. Uzbek is an agglutinative language (this means words are created by adding lots of small endings), and Russian still plays a big role as a second language.
- Armenian, by contrast, stems from the Indo-European family with its own alphabet. That new script kick-started a rich literary and religious tradition: Classical Armenian (Grabar) became the language of scripture and learning, and over time the language evolved into the two modern varieties most people recognise today — Eastern Armenian (spoken in Armenia and nearby regions) and Western Armenian (used historically by the Ottoman-era communities and now largely in the diaspora). Armenian has absorbed loanwords from Persian, Turkish and Russian through the centuries, but its unique alphabet and long written tradition make it a powerful marker of national and cultural identity.
What to look for when searching for an Armenian interpreter
With Armenian, the first practical question is which variety you need: Eastern and Western Armenian differ in pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural references, so make sure the interpreter’s variety matches your speakers. Beyond that, prioritise someone who reads and writes the Armenian script fluently and who understands the historical and cultural nuances that often surface in conversation; this matters in everything from tone to register. For sensitive work (legal, medical or community settings) look for an interpreter who can manage emotional or complex content with tact, who prepares glossaries in advance, and who signals a solid grasp of formal written registers as well as spoken idioms.
What to look for when searching for an Uzbek interpreter
For Uzbek, check the interpreter’s familiarity with the different scripts and regional usages: modern Uzbek is commonly written in Latin script but many people still use Cyrillic, and interpreters often need to handle materials in both. Uzbek is an agglutinative Turkic language with lots of suffixing, so choose someone experienced at keeping pace with fast speech and converting long, compact phrases into smooth English (or vice versa); that skill matters especially in simultaneous interpretation work, as opposed to consecutive interpretation, where the speaker pauses briefly, allowing the interpreter time to consider their reformulation in the target language.
It’s also useful to pick a linguist who understands the region’s linguistic influences (Russian, Persian and neighbouring Turkic languages) and who can navigate administrative, technical or historically specific terminology that may crop up in your event. As with any language, practicalities count: reliable briefings, comfort with booth or remote platforms, and clear communication about availability and confidentiality will make the assignment run far more smoothly.
What to look out for
When selecting your interpreting partner, it’s important to look beyond simply whether they speak the language. Instead, look for a specialist interpreting agency with a proven track record in Uzbek or Armenian interpretation. And be sure to check that they provide services in your area. For instance, if you’re after interpreting or translation services in Washington DC, does the agency operate there?Â
Assess their broader expertise, too. Certain fields, such as legal or medical interpretation, require experts not just in the language pair, but also in that sector. Specialist legal or medical interpreters can be hard to come by, but they play a vital role in court rooms and healthcare settings, contexts where a misunderstanding or language error can be both costly and dangerous.
Armenian and Uzbek interpreters from Capital Linguists
At Capital Linguists we make Uzbek and Armenian interpretation and translation simple and dependable. Our wide network of experienced linguists includes specialists with additional training in legal and medical terminology, plus interpreters who work remotely or over the phone, when meeting in person isn’t possible.
We hold ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certifications, a testament to our rigorous recruitment and vetting processes, along with our straightforward, quality-first approach to every job.
If you’re planning a multilingual project, big or small, we’d love to help. Reach out today and let’s talk about what you need.
