Iraqi Arabic Translation Services
Iraqi Arabic, with its Mesopotamian roots, is spoken by approximately 30 million people and has a character distinct from both Gulf and Levantine dialects. Our native Iraqi translators have deep expertise in the administrative systems of both pre- and post-2003 Iraq, handling everything from Baathist-era documents to current Iraqi government certificates. With a large Iraqi diaspora in the UK, we provide specialist translation services for asylum claims, immigration applications and legal proceedings.
Native Speakers
30 million
Estimated native speakers worldwide
Countries
1
Countries where this dialect is spoken
Relationship to MSA
Distinct from MSA
Compared to Modern Standard Arabic
Countries Where Iraqi Arabic is Spoken
We provide specialist translation services for documents from these countries, with translators who understand the local dialect and official document formats.
How Iraqi Arabic Differs from Modern Standard Arabic
Understanding the key differences between Iraqi Arabic and MSA is essential for accurate translation. Our translators are native dialect speakers with deep cultural knowledge.
Iraqi Arabic stands apart from other Arabic dialects with significant Mesopotamian, Turkish, Persian and Kurdish influences in its vocabulary. While official Iraqi documents use MSA, they contain terminology from successive administrative systems and frequently include handwritten annotations in the Iraqi dialect. The transition from Baathist-era to post-2003 documentation formats adds an additional layer of complexity for translators.
Mesopotamian Vocabulary
Iraqi Arabic retains ancient Mesopotamian, Aramaic and Akkadian vocabulary not found in other Arabic dialects or MSA, particularly in terms relating to agriculture, water management and local governance.
Persian and Kurdish Loanwords
Iraq's geographic position has produced extensive Persian and Kurdish linguistic influence, with loanwords common in everyday speech, administrative language and geographic names.
Distinct Pronunciation
Iraqi Arabic preserves the classical "ق" (qaf) pronunciation that many other dialects have lost, and pronounces "چ" (ch) as a distinct phoneme, affecting transliteration of names and places.
Dual Administrative Systems
Iraqi documents may follow Baathist-era formatting conventions (pre-2003) or current Iraqi government standards, requiring translators who understand both systems and their respective terminology.
Tribal and Religious References
Iraqi documents frequently reference tribal affiliations and religious identity (Sunni, Shia, Christian, Yazidi) in ways that carry legal significance for identity verification and asylum claims.
Kurdish Region Documentation
Documents from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq may be in Kurdish (Sorani or Kurmanji), Arabic, or bilingual, requiring translators with knowledge of both languages and the KRG administrative system.
Why Iraqi Arabic Matters for Document Translation
Iraqi Arabic translation is critical for the UK's significant Iraqi diaspora, particularly for asylum and refugee cases. Iraqi documents present unique challenges: they may originate from different administrative eras (pre-2003 Baathist, transitional, or current government), they may be issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government in Kurdish or bilingual format, and they frequently contain dialect-specific annotations. Many Iraqi asylum seekers have documents that are damaged, incomplete, or issued by authorities no longer in existence. Our Iraqi translators understand these complexities and provide translations that satisfy the stringent requirements of UK immigration tribunals and the Home Office.
Birth Certificates
Iraqi birth certificates vary significantly depending on whether they were issued before or after 2003, and whether they originate from federal Iraq or the Kurdistan Region.
View details →Criminal Records
Iraqi police clearance certificates and criminal record checks, often required for UK immigration and asylum applications, with formats varying by era and issuing authority.
View details →Court Documents
Iraqi court judgments, tribunal decisions and legal papers referencing Iraqi civil, criminal and personal status law, including Sharia court documents.
View details →Passport Translation
Translation of Iraqi passports, laissez-passer documents and travel papers for immigration proceedings, including historical and current format passports.
View details →Divorce Certificates
Iraqi divorce documents from both civil and religious courts, including Sharia court divorce decrees and personal status court judgments.
View details →Death Certificates
Iraqi death certificates, often required for probate, inheritance claims and immigration proceedings, with varying formats across different administrative periods.
View details →Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have experience with Iraqi asylum documents?
Can you translate documents from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq?
How do you handle pre-2003 Iraqi documents?
Are your Iraqi document translations accepted by the Home Office?
Can you translate Iraqi tribal documents?
What if my Iraqi document is damaged or partially illegible?
Need Iraqi Arabic Translation?
Work with native Iraqi Arabic translators who understand the dialect, culture, and official document formats. Fast turnaround, certified translations, guaranteed accuracy.