Freelance Scots Translator, Transcriber and Interpreter

SILA Linguists; United Kingdom; Hybride; GBP 28 000 - 55 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Freelance flexibility

Remote and on-site assignments

Fair pay reflecting skills

Operations support

Résumé du poste

SILA Linguists is recruiting freelance Scots translators and transcribers, with occasional interpreting, for public sector, research, broadcasting and heritage work. We offer remote and on-site assignments across the UK, with DBS checks required for some roles.

As a Scots linguist, you’ll translate public information and websites into Scots, transcribe interviews, and prepare subtitles while respecting regional spelling and terminology. DBS clearance may be requested for certain postings.

Qualifications

• Fluent spoken and written Scots; excellent written English.
• Qualifications such as DPSI, DPI or translation degree, or equivalent professional experience.
• CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership welcome.
• Familiarity with regional Scots varieties such as Doric or Shetlandic.
• Willingness to undergo a DBS check where required.
• Right to work in the UK for on-site assignments.
• Reliable internet and a headset for video/telephone work.

Responsabilités

• Translate public information, websites and creative texts from English into Scots, ensuring consistent spelling.
• Transcribe Scots speech accurately from interviews and archives, without anglicising it.
• Maintain accuracy, impartiality and confidentiality on every assignment.
• Prepare by reviewing briefs and researching terminology in advance.
• Take on-site assignments at hospitals, courts, offices and remote sessions by video or phone.

Connaissances

Fluent Scots

Excellent English

Regional varieties familiarity

Formation

DPSI/DPI or translation degree

CIOL/ITI/NRPSI membership welcome

Description du poste

SILA Linguists is recruiting freelance Scots translators and transcribers, with occasional interpreting, for public sector, research, broadcasting and heritage work.

Scots is a language in its own right, spoken across Lowland Scotland, the north-east and the Northern Isles, and in Ulster as Ulster Scots. Its main varieties include Doric, Glaswegian and west-central Scots, Borders Scots and Shetlandic, and spelling is not fully standardised. Good Scots translation respects these differences and chooses spellings that readers in each area recognise.

Most work is written: translating public information, leaflets and websites into Scots, transcribing oral history and research interviews, and preparing subtitles. Interpreting is occasional, for example for older speakers in health or community settings who are more comfortable in Scots.

Responsibilities

• Translate public information, websites and creative texts from English into Scots, keeping spelling consistent within each project.
• Transcribe Scots speech from interviews and archive recordings accurately, without anglicising it.
• Follow professional standards of accuracy, impartiality and confidentiality on every assignment.
• Prepare for each booking by reviewing the brief and researching specialist terminology in advance.
• Take on-site assignments at hospitals, courts, offices and other venues, and remote sessions by video or telephone.

Requirements

• Fluent spoken and written Scots, and excellent written English.
• Relevant qualifications such as the DPSI, DPI or a translation degree, or equivalent professional experience; CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership is welcome.
• Familiarity with Scots spelling resources and with at least one regional variety, such as Doric or Shetlandic.
• Willingness to undergo a DBS check, which is required for some assignments, such as those involving children or vulnerable adults.
• For on-site work in the UK, the right to work in the UK.
• Reliable internet access and suitable equipment (computer or phone with headset) for video and telephone work.

What we offer

• Freelance flexibility, accepting work when it suits you.
• Remote and on-site assignments.
• Fair pay that reflects your skills and time.
• Support from our operations team.
• Assignments across sectors, including healthcare, legal and public services.

Scots 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 Scots linguist with us, you can take on the full range of work we offer in Scots:

• Scots interpreting of every type: face-to-face, telephone (OPI) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, video (VRI) through the SILA Linguists® app or the client's platform, consecutive, simultaneous, conference and remote simultaneous (RSI), community and escort interpreting.
• Scots translation of documents into and out of English, from letters, medical reports and school records to contracts, research and websites.
• Certified Scots translation with a signed statement of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities such as courts, the Home Office, universities and employers.
• Scots transcription of audio and video recordings, with time stamps, translation of the transcript and subtitling.

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.