Tamil–German Interpreter – Interpreting and Certified Translations

Key facts at a glance

• ✓Tamil–German interpreting throughout Germany – on site, by video or by phone
• ✓Video and telephone assignments often possible on the same day
• ✓We take into account whether the other party speaks Sri Lankan or Indian Tamil
• ✓Certified translations of documents from Sri Lanka, India and Singapore by court-authorised translators
• ✓No-obligation quote before the assignment or order

Where is Tamil spoken – and why does it matter for the interpreter?

Tamil is an official language in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry, one of the two official languages of Sri Lanka and one of the four official languages of Singapore. In Sri Lanka, Tamil has equal status with Sinhala; in Singapore, with English, Malay and Mandarin. In Malaysia, Tamil is a recognised minority language, and there are state primary schools that teach entirely in Tamil.

The language has its own script – this is how the word Tamil is written in Tamil: தமிழ். Spoken Tamil differs markedly from the written language, and Sri Lankan Tamil differs in pronunciation and vocabulary from the Tamil spoken in Tamil Nadu. So when you make your enquiry, please tell us where the people you will be talking to come from. That way we can find an interpreter who reliably understands exactly that variety.

Germany is home to a large Tamil community, much of which originally comes from Sri Lanka. In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, the Sri Kamadchi Ampal Hindu temple in Hamm is a well-known place for the Tamil community. We also find language professionals for related and neighbouring languages such as Malayalam, Kannada or Sinhala – find out more under Interpreters for rare languages.

When do I need a Tamil interpreter?

You need a Tamil interpreter whenever an important conversation must not fail because of language – with authorities, in healthcare or in court. Typical assignments include:

• Doctors, hospitals and therapy: informed consent before surgery, discussions of test results, psychotherapy sessions.
• Registry office (Standesamt) and notary: weddings, acknowledgement of paternity, purchase contracts and inheritance matters.
• Courts and police: hearings, questioning and meetings with lawyers.
• Immigration office (Ausländerbehörde), Jobcenter and youth welfare office (Jugendamt): appointments about residence, benefits or family matters.
• Schools and counselling: parent–teacher meetings and appointments at advice centres.
• Businesses: negotiations and training sessions, for example with business partners in Tamil Nadu or Sri Lanka.

At authorities, doctor's appointments and in court, interpreting is usually consecutive: the interpreter renders what has been said section by section after each person has spoken. Simultaneous interpreting is also available for conferences. We explain all types of interpreting on our page Interpreting on site, by video and by phone.

On site, by video or by phone – which suits my appointment?

For conversations with several participants, very personal matters or court hearings, an on-site Tamil interpreter is usually the best choice; for short appointments, video or phone is often enough.

Please check in advance with the court, hospital or authority whether they allow video or telephone interpreting. For video appointments, all participants should have a stable internet connection and ideally use a headset.

Certified Tamil–German translation: which documents does our translation agency translate?

As a translation agency for Tamil, RAGUNATHAN provides certified German translations of certificates and documents from Sri Lanka, India and Singapore – and translates German documents into Tamil. A certified translation is a complete translation whose accuracy is confirmed by a translator authorised by the court (ermächtigt) with a certification statement, stamp and signature. Documents we frequently translate include:

• Birth, marriage and death certificates – find out more under Birth certificate translation and Marriage certificate translation
• Divorce decrees, certificates of single status and name change documents
• School and university certificates for recognition, studies and job applications
• Driving licences, criminal record certificates and powers of attorney

If a document contains Sinhala or English as well as Tamil, we translate all parts in a single order. As the form at the top of this page is intended for interpreting appointments, the easiest way to send documents is by email to info@ragunathan.de, via WhatsApp or using the upload form on our page Certified translations.

Do I need an apostille for documents from Sri Lanka or India?

No – there is no apostille for documents from Sri Lanka or India in relations with Germany; if there are doubts about authenticity, German authorities can have the document verified through the German mission abroad.

Sri Lanka is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, and the German Embassy in Colombo no longer legalises Sri Lankan documents. India has acceded to the Convention, but Germany objected to its accession. The apostille therefore does not apply between the two countries, and the legalisation of Indian documents was discontinued back in 2000. Instead, the German authority can arrange for the document to be verified via the embassy or a consulate general. By contrast, documents from Singapore have been eligible for an apostille since 2021.

It is best to ask the registry office or the immigration office directly which proof they require. We translate the document including all stamps and annotations so that the authority can follow everything.

How do I book a Tamil interpreter?

You can book a Tamil interpreter using the form at the top of this page, by email, via WhatsApp or by phone – in four steps:

1. 01
   Request an appointment

   tell us the date, time, location (or video or phone), the occasion and the expected duration.

2. 02
   State the origin

   let us know whether the people you will be talking to come from Sri Lanka, India or another country.

3. 03
   Receive a quote

   you get a no-obligation quote and, once you accept, a binding confirmation.

4. 04
   Hold your conversation

   the interpreter arrives punctually for the appointment or joins by video or phone.

Are there documents relating to the appointment, such as a doctor's letter or a summons? Feel free to send them in advance. This allows the interpreter to prepare the specialist terminology.

Request a Tamil interpreter

How much does a Tamil–German interpreter cost?

The price of a Tamil–German interpreter depends on the length of the assignment, the location and the type of interpreting – you will find it in the no-obligation quote before the appointment.

For on-site assignments, travel costs and travel time are added. These costs do not apply to video or telephone interpreting. For translations, what counts is the length, subject area, certification and delivery date. For standard documents, we give you a binding price once we have received a photo or scan. Costs are only incurred once you accept.

Why RAGUNATHAN?

• Since 1986

  Experience with interpreting assignments and certified translations for authorities, courts, hospitals and private clients.

• ISO 9001:2015

  Processes certified by TÜV SÜD; the owner is a member of the BDÜ – the German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators.

• Over 1,000 language professionals

  Interpreters and translators for 170 languages and dialects, including Tamil, Sinhala and Malayalam.

• Confidential

  All language professionals are bound by confidentiality – essential at the doctor's, in court and with authorities.

Questions about your appointment or document? Call us on +49 208 99 04 77 (Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm) – we will advise you free of charge.