Independent language
Similarities within the Oghuz language group are not a substitute for a professional Turkmen translation.
Oghuz Turkic language
Turkmen translation services
Turkmen dili
Turkmen is an independent Oghuz Turkic language and cannot be equated with Turkish. ABBA-Sprachendienste checks the document, font, language direction, subject area and availability before making an acceptance.
Turkmen is the official language of Turkmenistan and is also spoken by communities in Afghanistan, Iran and the diaspora.
Geographical distribution of Turkmen
- Main distribution
- Other regional use
- Selected Diaspora
Turkmenistan
Afghanistan
Iran
Türkiye
Russia
Germany
Schematic selection of important distribution areas. Language usage does not always follow national borders; the map is not complete population statistics.
Language profile
Turkmen at a glance
- Proper name
- Turkmen dili
- language family
- Oghuz Turkic language
- font
- Latin alphabet, also Cyrillic in older documents
- Language code
- tk
Documents and deployment
The language direction is often used
It's not just the language that matters. ABBA-Sprachendienste also classifies document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirement and desired language direction.
Have the document checked- Birth and marriage certificates
- School and university certificates
- Residence and authority documents
- Employment and pension certificates
- Powers of attorney and contracts
Origin and development
How language developed
Turkmen, together with Turkish and Azerbaijani, belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages. The languages are related, but remain independent language directions for an authoritative translation.
A Latin alphabet is used in Turkmenistan today. Older documents may be written in Cyrillic; Depending on the origin and document context, other writing traditions may play a role.
Good to know
What makes this language special
Several font generations
The place of issue and the age of the document determine whether the script is in Latin or older Cyrillic.
Adopt special characters exactly
Letters such as ä, ň, ö, ş, ü, ý and ž are part of today's Latin orthography and can be relevant for names.
A little language insight
Three first expressions
The transcription only serves as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transcription | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Salam | — | Hello |
| Say boluň | — | Thank you very much |
| Haýyş edýärin | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide values and may vary depending on the definition, year of survey and inclusion of second language speakers.
- Turkmenistan, the country and the language
INALCO · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardized language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and area names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial source status: August 4, 2026. Information will be cross-checked before production goes live.
Other related service languages
Turkmen FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Turkmen
Can I have Turkmen translated into German and German translated into Turkmen?
Both directions can be requested. A binding commitment is made after checking the type of document, subject area, certification, date and intended use.
Which documents are often relevant when speaking Turkmen?
Birth and marriage certificates, school and university certificates, residence and official documents, employment and pension certificates are among the typical occasions. Other types of documents can also be checked with an easy-to-read photo or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste look for when speaking Turkmen?
The language direction, document type, Latin alphabet, in older documents also Cyrillic, names, stamps, subject area, intended use and a possible need for authentication are checked.
Do I need a certified translation for my Turkmen document?
This is decided by the receiving authority, the court, the notary or the other requesting body. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be presented; then the need can be classified appropriately.
Is a photo enough for the first check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and easy-to-read photo or PDF is usually sufficient to check the offer. Depending on the order, the original may also be required for later execution.
Have Turkmen ↔ German checked specifically
Send an easy-to-read photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste personally checks the language direction, document, purpose and certification requirements.
