Hire the Best English to Somali Translators

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Sameh M.

Shubra al Khaymah, Egypt

$25/hr
5.0
45 jobs

Hello, ⭐ Hiring the wrong freelancer is just a waste of money and time, so I'm offering a guarantee of 100% Money-Back if my service is not as and beyond your expectations. ⭐ My Name's Sameh Mohamed, I'm a Graphic designer and Desktop publishing specialist, I've worked on over +500 Projects for DTP, and I've worked for one of the most reputable and largest companies in the Middle East, [ Future Group Translation Services.] You don't need to waste your budget or time on DTP And that's exactly what you get when you work with me! I have experience in: ✅ - InDesign, ✅ - Illustrator, ✅ - Photoshop, ✅ - FrameMaker ✅ - OCR Tools ✅ - Subtitle ✅ - Microsoft Office Package. ✅ - QC Check ⭐ Why you should choose me over other freelancers ⭐ Over the past two years, I have dealt with clients from all over the world such as Argentina and some countries in Europe and Africa and I really know what makes an extraordinary relationship with a client and what harm it causes, and I truly understand that all you need is work done with the best quality, smooth communication, and on time guess what my end goal at Upwork is because I believe your success is mine too. 💡 feedback! in Upwork 💡 You can also check these two successful jobs that I've made through Upwork and got great feedback! I'm extremely flexible, and responsive and can communicate easily to get the target smoothly and perfectly at the time. If you want to hire me but are still stumped, let's have a free 10-Minute consultation call to make sure I'm the best fit for your business and I'll give you my recommendation to get your job done the right way. ✔️ Best regards, Sameh Mohamed

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Book
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Editorial Design
  • Microsoft Word
  • Desktop Publishing
  • Book Layout
  • PDF
  • Graphic Design
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • ABBYY FineReader
  • Subtitle Edit
  • Book Design
  • Book Editing
Mustafa M.

Hargeisa, Somalia

$18/hr
4.9
228 jobs

Somali ↔ English Translator | Somali Voice‑Over Artist | Linguist | 10+ Years | 3M+ Words I am a native Somali linguist and full‑time freelance translator with over a decade of experience and a documented track record exceeding 3 million words delivered to exacting standards. I help organizations communicate clearly, credibly, and culturally—across medical and public health, legal and immigration, technical and product localization, education and e‑learning, marketing, and the humanitarian/development sectors. What I deliver Human translation (ENGLISH → SOMALI, SOMALI → ENGLISH): Faithful, idiomatic translations that preserve meaning, tone, and intent while remaining accessible to broad Somali audiences. Editing and proofreading: Two‑pass review with terminology harmonization, consistency checks, and style refinement for publish‑ready quality. Transcription and subtitle prep: Accurate Somali transcription, time‑coding, and subtitle drafting for media and training content. Somali voice‑over (male voice): Clear, neutral diction suitable for e‑learning, IVR/call centers, explainers, and public information campaigns. Research and cultural review: On‑the‑ground terminology research, sensitivity checks, and audience‑appropriate phrasing. Domain expertise Medical and public health: Patient communications, appointment flows and IVR scripts, consent forms, health education, PHI‑sensitive materials. Legal and immigration: Forms, affidavits, policies, notices, and plain‑language public information. Technical and product: UI strings, Help/KB articles, SOPs, training modules, and safety documentation. Education and nonprofit: Curriculum, assessments, outreach, safeguarding/GBV, MHPSS, and program communications. Marketing and corporate: Websites, brochures, internal comms, and brand‑aligned messaging. Quality and process Rigor: Human translation with structured QA (terminology control, consistency, numeric/date verification, and layout integrity). Style governance: Creation/maintenance of Somali termbases and style guides; adherence to client glossaries and brand voice. Readability and register: Standard Written Somali with clear, inclusive phrasing; regional variants noted where it adds value. Security and compliance: NDA‑friendly workflows; careful handling of sensitive and health‑related data. Tools SDL Trados, memoQ, Phrase/Memsource, XTM, Wordbee, Smartcat, Fluency, and QA/verification plug‑ins. Comfortable with tagged files (XML/JSON), CAT‑based concordance, and bilingual exports. Capacity and SLAs Throughput: Up to 4,000 words/day with surge capacity for priority projects. Turnaround: Reliable, on‑schedule delivery and proactive communication. Collaboration: Responsive, detail‑oriented, and open to style calibrations and short pilots. Why clients choose me 10+ years of specialization in Somali language services with 3M+ words translated and reviewed. User‑centric phrasing for voice, UI, and public‑facing content—clear, concise, and culturally resonant. Consistency at scale: I maintain the same voice and terminology across long‑running projects. Voice‑over details Male, warm/neutral tone; broadcast‑quality recording chain available upon request. Script polishing for clarity and spoken cadence; pronunciation guides where needed. Let’s collaborate If you need reliable, precise, and culturally attuned Somali language support, I’m ready to help. Share your files, word count, deadline, and any style/terminology notes, and I’ll provide a clear quote and timeline. Skills Somali Translation, English to Somali, Somali to English, Medical Translation, Legal Translation, Technical Translation, Transcription, Subtitling, Somali Voice Over, Localization, Editing & Proofreading, CAT Tools (Trados, memoQ, Phrase, XTM, Smartcat), Terminology Management, IVR/Call Center Scripts, UX Writing Daily availability with swift response times. Contact Invite me to your job with a brief overview of scope and timeline, and I’ll respond promptly with next steps.

  • Somali
  • English to Somali Translation
  • Somali to English Translation
  • Technical Translation
  • Translation
  • Legal Translation
  • General Transcription
  • Immigration Document Translation
  • Medical Translation
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Voice-Over
  • Voice-Over Recording
  • Document Translation
  • Business Translation
  • Academic Translation
Abdifatah A.

Mogadishu, Somalia

$25/hr
4.7
117 jobs

I help organizations, agencies, and global teams turn English content into clear, accurate, and culturally appropriate Somali for real audiences. I am an English–Somali translator, interpreter, and linguistic QA specialist with 8+ years of experience, 6M+ words translated/reviewed, and extensive Somali interpreting experience across legal, medical, humanitarian, business, and community settings. I am a Certified PRO English-to-Somali translator and interpreter, and a member of the East African Interpreters and Translators Association (EAITA). Clients work with me when they need Somali communication that is not just translated, but ready to use — accurate, natural, consistent, and appropriate for the audience. I regularly support projects in: 🔰 Legal, medical, healthcare, humanitarian, education, business, media, and public-facing communication Core services: ✅ English-Somali Translation ✅ Somali Interpretation (Simultaneous & Consecutive) ✅ Editing, Proofreading, MTPE & Linguistic QA ✅ Localization & Cultural Adaptation ✅ Linguistic Validation for healthcare, surveys, and clinical content ✅ Transcription & Subtitling (time-coded) ✅ Voiceover & Dubbing (echo-free, accent matching) ✅ Somali Language Research, Data & AI Support My approach is practical and audience-focused: I clarify meaning where needed, protect terminology consistency, flag issues early, and deliver Somali content that reads naturally while staying faithful to the source. 🛠 SDL Trados Studio, MemoQ, Wordfast Pro, Phrase/Memsource, Smartcat, Xbench, Verifika, Subtitle Edit, Audacity, and Adobe tools. 📩 Open to translation, interpretation, editing, QA, localization, subtitling, and Somali language-data projects all days except Sundays. #SomaliTranslator #EnglishToSomali #SomaliTranslation #SomaliLocalization #SomaliInterpreter

  • Somali
  • English to Somali Translation
  • Science & Medical Translation
  • Medical Translation
  • Life Science
  • Clinical Trial
  • Scientific Research
  • Academic Translation
  • Legal Translation
  • Technical Translation
  • Financial Translation
  • Website Translation
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Somali to English Translation
  • Video Transcription
  • Audio Transcription
  • Data Analytics
  • General Transcription
  • Neural Machine Translation
  • Subtitling
Mohamed A.

Garissa, Kenya

$25/hr
5.0
2 jobs

Precision. Clarity. Cultural Intelligence. Every time. There are translators who handle words. Then there are linguists who handle meaning, stakes, and consequences. I am the second kind. With 7+ years of professional experience and a track record built alongside industry giants — Lango (TIN), TransPerfect, Transrare, Loc-Pro, RWS, and Sanctuary Health IO — I deliver Somali linguistic services that meet the highest standards in the industry. Whether it's a critical medical document, a legal case file, or a large-scale localization project, my work is accurate, culturally grounded, and client-ready — every single time. 🌍 LANGUAGE EXPERTISE LanguageLevelSomali — Maay Maay & Maxaa TiriNativeEnglishC2 Proficient — EF SET CertifiedSwahiliFluentArabicConversational One of the very few Somali linguists certified at C2 English proficiency — meaning I don't just understand both languages, I master them. 📋 WHAT I DELIVER 🏥 Medical Translation & Interpretation Patient records, clinical reports, discharge summaries, pharmaceutical documents, medication instructions, and health campaigns — translated with full medical terminology accuracy and HIPAA-compliant confidentiality. ⚖️ Legal & Court Documents Contracts, court filings, asylum applications, immigration records, attorney-client correspondence, and regulatory submissions — precise, impartial, and legally sound. 🎓 Academic & Educational Content Certificates, transcripts, research papers, curriculum materials, and academic reports — formatted to institutional standards. 💼 Business & Corporate Content Proposals, reports, presentations, corporate correspondence, and business agreements — professional tone, zero ambiguity. 🎧 Audio & Video Transcription Interviews, focus groups, legal recordings, medical consultations, and media content — accurately transcribed and timestamped where required. 📋 Certified & Personal Documents Birth certificates, national IDs, passports, personal statements, and immigration documents — accurate, certified, and submission-ready. 🌐 Localization & Community Content Websites, apps, public health campaigns, NGO materials, and community outreach content — not just translated, but culturally calibrated to resonate with Somali-speaking audiences. 🔬 Research & Humanitarian Documents Field reports, surveys, humanitarian assessments, and UN/NGO documentation — handled with the sensitivity and precision these environments demand. ⭐ WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE ME ✅ Native fluency in both Maay Maay & Maxaa Tiri — serving the full Somali-speaking diaspora ✅ HIPAA Certified — your sensitive data is handled with the highest confidentiality standards ✅ C2 English Proficiency — certified mastery of both source and target languages ✅ Industry-tested — trusted by TransPerfect, RWS, Lango, Loc-Pro, Transrare & Sanctuary Health IO ✅ Medical certified — trained specifically in medical and pharmaceutical translation ✅ Fast turnaround — without ever compromising accuracy or quality ✅ Culturally intelligent — I understand what words mean to people, not just what they say 💼 CERTIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS 🏅 HIPAA Certification — Multilingual & Lingotec 🏅 Medical Translation Certificate — African Institute of Medical Studies 🏅 EF SET English Certificate — C2 Proficient 🏅 BA in Linguistics — Kenya Institute of Community Work and Social Development 🏅 Google Project Management Certificate — Coursera 🏅 ALX Africa Virtual Assistant Certificate Every word carries weight. I make sure yours lands exactly where it should. Ready to get started? Send me a message — I respond fast and I'm ready to deliver. Best regards, Mohamed Bashir Abdi Native Somali Linguist | Medical & Legal Translation Expert | HIPAA Certified | C2 English

  • Somali
  • Translation
  • Transcription Timestamping
  • Microsoft Word
  • Online Research
  • Google Sheets
  • Data Entry
  • Digital Marketing
  • Google Forms
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Access
  • PDF Conversion
Liban E.

Garoowe, Somalia

$20/hr
5.0
11 jobs

Are you looking for a native Somali linguist to handle your Somali ↔ English translation, proofreading, voice-over, localization, and transcription projects? I help organizations, NGOs, and businesses communicate effectively with Somali audiences through accurate, natural, and culturally relevant translations. ✅ Core Services Somali Translation (EN ↔ SO): Professional Somali–English translations for documents, websites, apps, and multimedia. Somali Proofreading & Editing: Publish-ready Somali content that is accurate, natural, and error-free. Somali Localization: Adapting apps, websites, and software into Somali with cultural accuracy. Somali Transcription & Subtitling: Time-coded Somali transcriptions and subtitles for video and audio projects. 💡 Why Clients Choose Me Native Somali speaker, fluent in English. 1+ years of Somali translation & localization (45 thousand + words delivered). Skilled with CAT tools: SDL, Word fast Experienced across translation, proofreading and subtitling Detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and client-focused.

  • Translation
  • Videography
  • Web Testing
  • Voice-Over
Mohamed Guled Y.

Hargeisa, Somalia

$25/hr
5.0
109 jobs

Looking for a highly skilled English-to-Somali translator who can deliver accurate, effective translations? Look no further! With over 10 years of experience and specialized expertise in transcription, I am a bilingual English-to-Somali translator dedicated to helping you communicate clearly across languages and cultures. As a language professional with a strong command of both English and Somali, I take pride in delivering translations that capture the meaning, tone, and cultural nuances of the original text. Whether it’s a document, audio, or video, I ensure that every translation is precise and culturally relevant. In addition to my translation services, I specialize in transcription, converting spoken words into written form with the utmost attention to detail. From business meetings and lectures to podcasts, I provide accurate, high-quality transcripts that meet your needs. I also offer proofreading, website localization, e-learning localization, subtitling, and more. With experience across diverse fields legal, medical, business, and technical, I bring specialized knowledge to every project. My bilingual skills, expertise, and commitment to excellence make me the ideal choice for anyone seeking top-tier translation and transcription services. Reach out today to learn how I can help you achieve your communication goals! #Upwork Best Somali and English Translator #Somalitranslator #translator

  • English
  • Subtitles
  • General Transcription
  • Transcription Timestamping
  • Proofreading
  • SDL Trados
  • English to Somali Translation
  • Legal Agreement
  • Medical Translation
  • Language Interpretation
  • Somali to English Translation
  • Translation
  • Contract Translation
  • Legal Translation

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How to Hire Top Somali Translators

How to hire Somali translators

Somali is the official language of Somalia, a small country located on the easternmost tip of the Horn of Africa. The language is also spoken by immigrant communities across the globe, including the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) in Minnesota. If you’re looking for a contractor who can help you localize your business for Somali-speaking populations, a Somali translator can help.

So how do you hire Somali translators? What follows are some tips for finding top Somali translators on Upwork. 

How to shortlist Somali translation professionals

As you’re browsing available Somali translation consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the contractors you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:

  • Industry fit. You want a translator who not only can translate Somali but also understands how to translate industry-specific lingo between languages. 
  • Communication. A translator needs strong written and verbal communication skills to ensure your message remains intact post-translation. 
  • Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular Somali translator.

How to write an effective Somali translation job post

With a clear picture of your ideal Somali translator in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project. 

An effective Somali translation job post should include: 

  • Scope of work: From translating ebooks to generating subtitles, list all the deliverables you’ll need. 
  • Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project. 
  • Background: If you prefer experience performing certain translation services, such as translating meaning and feeling for a creative writing project, mention this here. 
  • Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.

Ready to bridge the communication gap between your business and Somali-speaking communities? Log in and post your Somali translation job on Upwork today.

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SOMALI TRANSLATORS FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Somali? 

Somali is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic languages. The language had lacked a written form until official writing conventions based on the Latin alphabet were adopted in 1973. 

Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in Somali translation consultants:

  • Somali-to-English and/or English-to-Somali translation
  • CAT (computer-assisted translation) tools such as Trados or SDLX
  • Audio transcription (e.g., subtitles) 
  • Writing and grammar (English and Somali)
  • Specialist, technical, commercial, or industrial knowledge
  • Strong understanding of how style, tone, and other cultural elements should be transferred between English and Somali

Why hire Somali translators?

The trick to finding top Somali translators is to identify your needs. Are you looking for someone who can create Somali subtitles for your videos? Or do you need an interpreter who can translate Somali to English in real time for a teleconference? The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life. 

How much does it cost to hire a Somali translator?

Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.

  • An experienced Somali translator may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
  • A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their Somali translation services more competitively. 

Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.