We arrange Malayalam and Tamil interpreters, confirmed by name before you book, to work to and from Arabic and English in labour and HR meetings, hospital consultations, lawyer appointments and family matters. We check which language, and which variety of Tamil, the person speaks before we book, because Hindi or a neighbouring language is rarely a safe substitute.
Trusted Credentials
Book the Right Language
Both are Dravidian languages of South India and they share vocabulary, but a speaker of one cannot reliably follow the other in a legal or medical conversation. Nor should you assume that someone from Kerala or Tamil Nadu is comfortable in Hindi. Booking the right language comes first.
Malayalam is the language of Kerala and Lakshadweep and is written in its own Malayalam script. Tamil is the language of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore, written in Tamil script. Both read left to right, and neither uses the Devanagari script of Hindi. Many people from South India use English as their working second language rather than Hindi, so for a serious conversation ask which language they prefer and tell us.
Tamil speakers from Tamil Nadu and from Sri Lanka understand each other, but pronunciation, some everyday vocabulary and forms of address differ, and the difference shows most under stress and in testimony. Tamil also has a wide gap between formal written Tamil and the spoken language, so the interpreter speaks the natural spoken register in the room. Malayalam varies between the north and south of Kerala too, though usually less of an obstacle. Tell us where the person is from and we match the interpreter where we can.
Many South Indian names use an initial for the father’s name, a family or house name, or a place, such as “K. Suresh”, and the passport may spell the initial out or place the given name in the surname field. In the room the interpreter confirms names and numbers rather than guessing, and on paper we follow the passport and keep one Arabic spelling throughout.
Where We Interpret
Consecutive interpreting for interviews and meetings, and simultaneous interpreting with receivers when a large group needs to follow.
HR investigations, disciplinary hearings, settlement discussions linked to a MOHRE complaint, contract and end-of-service explanations, interpreted neutrally for both sides.
Consultations, test results, procedure and consent explanations and discharge instructions, so the patient can ask questions in their own language.
When a matter reaches the police, prosecution or a court, the authority decides on the interpreter; our court interpreter page covers SWLT's contracts with the Federal Courts and the Federal Public Prosecution. Outside that, we interpret lawyer meetings and translate documents and evidence into Arabic.
Lawyer consultations about marriage, divorce, custody or inheritance, and meetings where family members from home join by video, with the documents translated by our office.
Site inductions, toolbox talks and policy announcements. For large groups the interpreter works into tour-guide receivers, and questions from the floor are interpreted back as they are asked.
Powers of attorney, declarations and agreements, where the person must understand what they sign before they sign it.
How It Works
Malayalam or Tamil, and for Tamil whether the person is from India or Sri Lanka. Send that with the date, emirate and setting.
Agenda, attendees and any documents to be explained. For town halls, group size and venue.
We confirm the interpreter, the mode and any equipment, with a price, before you commit.
Minutes, warning letters or policies can be translated into Malayalam or Tamil script afterwards.
Where Our Interpreters Work
Transparent Pricing
Interpreting is quoted per booking once the language is confirmed. Translation is per 200-word page, excluding 5% VAT. Interpreters stay neutral and give no legal or medical advice.
FAQ
Many South Indian names use an initial for the father's name, a family or house name, or a place, as in "K. Suresh", and the passport may spell the initial out or put the given name in the surname field. The interpreter confirms names rather than guessing, and our translations follow the passport with one Arabic spelling throughout.
Not reliably. The two languages are related and some speakers understand a little of the other, but for statements, consent or disciplinary matters each person needs an interpreter in their own language.
Ask the employee first. Hindi is not the first language in Kerala or Tamil Nadu, and many people from there prefer English or their own language. For a routine briefing it may work; for anything with consequences, book Malayalam or Tamil.
Tell us the person is from Sri Lanka and we will try to match an interpreter familiar with Sri Lankan Tamil, and confirm before booking. Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil are mutually understood, but matching helps in testimony.
Interpreting is quoted per booking and our rates are confidential. For Malayalam and Tamil, group size matters most: a one-to-one HR meeting differs from a site induction with tour-guide receivers, and a request for Sri Lankan Tamil is confirmed before we quote. Malayalam or Tamil documents into Arabic or English are AED 250 per page + VAT.
Yes, for private meetings between employer and employee, such as settlement discussions and end-of-service explanations. For sessions held by MOHRE or a court, check with the authority how interpretation is arranged there.
Yes. The interpreter can sit with you in the UAE while relatives join by video, or the whole session can be remote. Plan for the time difference and send names and documents in advance.
Yes, at AED 250 per page + VAT. Warning letters, policies and settlement terms in the reader’s own script, combined with an interpreter in the meeting, give the person the best chance of understanding them.
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All our interpreting modes and equipment in one place.
Confirm whether the person speaks Malayalam or Tamil and, for Tamil, whether they are from India or Sri Lanka. We confirm the interpreter and the price on WhatsApp, and translate documents in Malayalam or Tamil script.