The first exchange
Often the hardest, because at that point it is not yet clear which language or dialect is needed.
Sector · immigration
Languages nobody in the district covers.
Registration, initial interview, hearing, service of a decision. Hardly any other field involves so many different languages, and in hardly any other does the local list run out so quickly. The pool knows no district boundary.
The legal framework
The official language is German. Understanding is still required.
The official-language rule does not mean giving up on understanding; it creates the duty to establish it.
Relevant provisions
Section 23 VwVfG
The official language is German. Statements in another language only take effect once they have been rendered into German.
Hearing
Anyone being heard must understand the questions and be able to answer in their own language.
Decision
Service and explanation presuppose that the content gets through, particularly where appeal deadlines are involved.
If your authority bills under the JVEG, its rates and surcharges apply. Otherwise the agreed rate applies, and it appears in the request before anyone accepts. Section 201 of the German Criminal Code prohibits recording; the platform displays a notice before every join.
Typical situations
Where the local list runs out.
Six situations in which the language itself is the bottleneck.
Registration and initial interview
Hearing
Detailed and on the record
Longer appointments where every nuance matters. Billing is rounded up to half hours.
Decisions and appeals
Deadlines are running
Explaining a decision determines whether a deadline is understood.
Rare languages and dialects
Nationwide instead of district-bound
The reason many authorities currently fall back on relatives or accompanying persons.
Sensitive situations
Gender preference
In hearings on grounds for flight, the choice of person can determine whether someone is willing to speak.
Multiple locations
One access point for the whole authority
Branch offices draw on the same pool and the same rules.
In practice
What changes in the department.
Three points where the difference shows in daily work.
Before
The detour
Searching through lists and agencies and, in case of doubt, falling back on an unqualified companion.
Meanwhile
The request
Language, estimated duration, case number and, on request, a gender preference. Requests go out in stages.
Afterwards
The record
A PDF record for each assignment. No fee income flows through lingomatch; you settle directly with the interpreter.
Where communication is part of the relationship, we advise on-site interpreting.
With traumatised people, with children and in conversations where physical presence builds trust, joining remotely is not always right. That judgement is made by your professionals, not by us.
Next step
Let's talk aboutyour interpreting needs.
Half an hour, based on your own situations.
- Free of charge for the authority
- Operated in Germany
- On-premise on request