Freelance British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter and Translator

SILA Linguists; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote video work

Flexible assignments

Professional development support

Job summary

SILA Linguists is recruiting freelance BSL interpreters and translators to provide access for Deaf people in healthcare, education, employment, legal and public settings across the UK.

Interpreters should be fluent in BSL and English, with NRCPD registration required for most assignments; Trainee sign language interpreters are welcome to apply. Remote video work and on-site bookings are available, with flexible assignments and confidentiality maintained at all times.

Qualifications

• Fluency in British Sign Language (BSL) and English, with regional variation.
• NRCPD registration to work on most assignments; Trainee interpreters welcome to apply.
• Membership in ASLI or VLP is optional.
• Current DBS check or willingness to obtain one.
• Right to work in the UK for on-site work.
• Reliable internet, camera, plain background and private space for video interpreting.

Responsibilities

• Interpret between BSL and spoken English on site and by video.
• Translate written English info into recorded BSL video where skilled.
• Collaborate with fellow interpreters and Deaf relay interpreters on complex assignments.
• Maintain confidentiality and impartiality at all times.
• Build and maintain sector glossaries.
• Work remotely by video or on-site, arriving prepared and on time.

Skills

BSL & English fluency

Education

NRCPD Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI)

TSLI welcome to apply

Tools

Video interpreting (remote)

Job description

SILA Linguists® is recruiting freelance British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and translators. You will provide access for Deaf people in healthcare, education, employment, legal and public settings.

BSL is a language in its own right, with its own grammar and regional variation in signs, and it is recognised in law in England, Wales and Scotland. Deaf clients' needs vary: some use BSL with English mouthing, some prefer a more visual style, and Deafblind clients may need hands-on signing or visual frame signing. Interpreters should be ready to adapt and to work with Deaf relay interpreters when needed.

Requests include hospital and GP appointments, mental health services, workplace meetings and Access to Work support, education, police interviews, courts and tribunals. Video remote interpreting is common, as is BSL translation of written information into recorded video.

Responsibilities

• Interpret between BSL and spoken English on site and by video, adapting to each Deaf client's language preference.
• Produce BSL translations of written English information for recording, where you have the skills.
• Work with fellow interpreters and Deaf relay interpreters on long or complex assignments.
• Keep everything you hear and read on assignments strictly confidential, and remain impartial throughout.
• Build and maintain your own glossaries for the sectors you work in.
• Work remotely by video, or on site at the client's premises, arriving prepared and on time.

Requirements

• Fluency in British Sign Language and English, with experience of regional BSL variation.
• Registration with NRCPD as a Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI), which is needed for most assignments; registered Trainee Sign Language Interpreters (TSLI) are welcome to apply.
• Membership of a professional body such as ASLI or VLP is welcome but not required.
• A current DBS check, or willingness to obtain one, for assignments that require it.
• Right to work in the UK if you will take on-site assignments in the UK.
• A reliable internet connection, a camera, a plain background and a private space for video interpreting.

What we offer

• Remote work by video, plus on-site bookings.
• Fair compensation for your skills and time.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Help from our operations team before and after assignments.
• Varied assignments across healthcare, legal, government, finance and more.
• Flexible working: choose the assignments that suit your availability.

British Sign Language work with SILA Linguists®

SILA Linguists® is a language services company providing interpreting, translation and transcription across the UK, North America, Australia, New Zealand and beyond, in more than 350 languages and dialects. As a British Sign Language linguist with us, you can take on the full range of work we offer in British Sign Language:

• Sign language interpreting in person and by video, with Deaf interpreters, lipspeakers and deafblind interpreting where a client needs them.
• Sign language translation of written texts into recorded sign language video, and of signed video into written English.
• Captions and transcripts of signed or spoken recordings, for hearings, interviews, training and public information.

Our vetted, trained and qualified linguists work in legal, police and court settings, immigration and asylum matters, NHS and private healthcare, social care, schools and universities, charities and business. Every assignment is covered by confidentiality agreements and UK GDPR.