Mandarin interpreters and translation services.
Mandarin Chinese is one of AMS's largest non-Spanish languages, especially in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. We supply California court-certified Mandarin interpreters for depositions, IMEs, and WCAB hearings, plus CCHI-credentialed Mandarin medical interpreters and qualified translators in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese scripts.
Mandarin Chinese varieties and dialects we handle
Standard Mandarin (Putonghua)
The official standard of Mainland China. Used in most legal and medical work with Mainland-Chinese-origin clients.
Taiwanese Mandarin (Guoyu)
The Mandarin variety of Taiwan, with phonological and lexical differences from Putonghua. Important for Taiwanese-origin clients; the writing system is Traditional Chinese characters.
Cantonese and other Sinitic languages
Cantonese is a separate language from Mandarin and not mutually intelligible. If the client is Cantonese-speaking, see our Cantonese page. Hokkien, Shanghainese, and other Sinitic varieties are also distinct.
Simplified vs. Traditional Chinese script
Mainland China and Singapore use Simplified Chinese characters; Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau use Traditional. AMS handles both. Specify the target script for document translation.
What we do in Mandarin
Legal interpreting
Depositions, EUOs, IMEs, arbitrations, mediations, and trials in state and federal court.
Medical interpreting
IMEs, AME and QME panels, psychological evaluations, hospital interpreting, and workers-compensation medical appointments.
Document translation
Certified translation of legal documents, medical records, USCIS submissions, academic transcripts, and corporate materials.
Audio transcription
Verbatim transcription of depositions, recorded statements, surveillance audio, and recorded interviews.
Video remote interpreting (VRI)
Same-day VRI for telehealth, remote depositions, and any matter where on-site is not practical.
Conference and corporate interpreting
Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for trade shows, internal meetings, and major events.
Cities and metros where AMS supplies Mandarin
Los Angeles
HQ since 1999. Daily dispatch across the LA basin, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.
Mandarin in Los AngelesSan Francisco
Bay Area office covering San Francisco, Oakland, Silicon Valley, and the East Bay.
Mandarin in San FranciscoLas Vegas
Southern Nevada office covering Clark County and the broader Las Vegas Valley.
Mandarin in Las VegasMandarin services AMS provides
Why AMS for Mandarin
Local presence since 1999
27 years of California and Nevada courthouse, IME, and hospital relationships.
Same-day requests
We accept requests around the clock. For same-day availability, call our office at (800) 919-2029.
One point of contact
One scheduling contact from quote through invoice. No phone trees, no offshored call centers.
Mandarin interpreting questions, answered
Does AMS supply California court-certified Mandarin interpreters?
Yes. The California Court Interpreter Program (CCIP) certifies Mandarin court interpreters, and AMS maintains a deep certified Mandarin bench across LA, the Bay Area, and Las Vegas.
What is the difference between Mandarin and Cantonese, and which does my client speak?
Mandarin and Cantonese are not mutually intelligible. Mandarin is the dominant language of Mainland China and Taiwan; Cantonese is dominant in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong province, and historically much of the U.S. Chinatown population (older Cantonese-origin community). Ask the client. Many U.S. Chinese-Americans are bilingual.
Does AMS translate documents in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese?
Yes. Specify the target script at quote time. Simplified Chinese is standard for Mainland China and Singapore; Traditional is standard for Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
How fast can AMS schedule a Mandarin interpreter?
Availability depends on language, location, and timing. Call our office at (800) 919-2029 and we will confirm what is available for your date.
Does AMS handle Mandarin medical interpreting (IMEs, hospital, telehealth)?
Yes. We supply CCHI-credentialed Mandarin medical interpreters for IMEs, hospital interpreting, and telehealth platforms. Same-day VRI is available; call our office to set it up.
Can AMS coordinate Mandarin interpreters for federal court matters?
Yes. Mandarin federal court interpretation uses "professionally qualified" interpreters because federal court certification (FCICE) does not exist for Mandarin. AMS supplies federally-experienced Mandarin interpreters for U.S. District Court, Immigration Court, and federal arbitration.
Further reading
What is a certified court interpreter, and why does it matter?
The three working tiers of court interpreter, and the consequences of hiring the wrong one.
California Court Interpreter Program: what counts as certified
How California certifies court interpreters, what languages are covered.
Court interpreter ethics: the four canons
The ethical standards that govern interpreter conduct in legal proceedings.
How to hire a medical interpreter for an IME
A practical checklist for scheduling medical interpretation.
Video remote interpreting (VRI): when it works and when it does not
A practical guide to choosing between on-site, telephonic, and video remote interpreting.
Certified vs. notarized translation: what each one means
The most common translation document statuses, explained for non-specialists.
Schedule a Mandarin interpreter
Same-day Mandarin interpreting is available. Request a quote or call our scheduling team.