Freelance Sinhala Interpreter and Translator

SILA Linguists; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Freelance flexibility

Remote assignments

On-site assignments

Fair pay for skills and time

Operations team support

Job summary

SILA Linguists is seeking freelance Sinhala interpreters and translators for healthcare, immigration, legal and family assignments in the UK. Both spoken interpreting and formal written translation are needed.

You will translate certificates and records, follow professional standards, and prepare by researching terminology in advance. Flexible freelance opportunities with remote and on-site work and strong support from our operations team are offered.

Qualifications

• Full professional fluency in Sinhala and English.
• Relevant qualifications such as DPSI/DPI or translation degree, or equivalent professional experience.
• Reading and writing Sinhala script, including formal written style.
• Willingness to undergo a DBS check where required.
• Right to work in the UK for on-site work.
• Reliable internet access and suitable equipment for video/telephone work.

Responsibilities

• Interpret in spoken Sinhala in health, immigration and legal settings.
• Translate Sinhala certificates and records written in formal Sinhala.
• 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.
• Check every translation against the source before delivery and meet agreed deadlines.
• Take on transcription and translation of Sinhala recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.

Skills

Sinhala-English fluency

Formal Sinhala writing

Interpreting/translating ability

Education

DPSI/DPI or translation degree

CIOL/ITI/NRPSI membership welcome

Job description

SILA Linguists® is looking for freelance Sinhala interpreters and translators for healthcare, immigration, legal and family assignments. Both spoken interpreting and formal written translation are needed.

Sinhala is the majority language of Sri Lanka and is written in its own script. Spoken and written Sinhala differ considerably, so translators need a strong command of the formal written style while interpreters use everyday spoken Sinhala. Many UK Sinhala speakers work in healthcare and professional roles, while relatives and older clients may need more language support.

Requests include GP and hospital appointments, immigration matters, family proceedings and court hearings. Translators work on certificates, educational records and legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Interpret in spoken Sinhala in health, immigration and legal settings.
• Translate Sinhala certificates and records written in formal literary Sinhala.
• 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.
• Check every translation against the source before delivery and meet agreed deadlines.
• Take on transcription and translation of Sinhala recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.

Requirements

• Full professional fluency in both Sinhala and English.
• Relevant qualifications such as the DPSI, DPI or a translation degree, or equivalent professional experience; CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership is welcome.
• Reading and writing in Sinhala script, including formal written style.
• 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.

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

• Sinhala 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.
• Sinhala translation of documents into and out of English, from letters, medical reports and school records to contracts, research and websites.
• Certified Sinhala translation with a signed statement of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities such as courts, the Home Office, universities and employers.
• Sinhala 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.