Freelance Tamil Interpreter and Translator

SILA Linguists; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Freelance flexibility

Remote and on-site assignments

Support from operations team

Wide sector coverage

Job summary

SILA Linguists is looking for freelance Tamil interpreters and translators to cover UK healthcare, immigration, legal and community settings. Work by video, telephone or in person, with remote and on-site options.

Tamil linguists interpret for Sri Lankan and Indian Tamil speakers, handling asylum and immigration evidence with accuracy, confidentiality and timeliness. DBS checks apply for some roles; right to work in the UK is required.

Qualifications

• Full professional fluency in Tamil and English.
• Qualifications such as the DPSI, DPI or a translation degree; CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Interpret for Sri Lankan and Indian Tamil speakers, noting regional terms that could cause confusion.
• Translate asylum and immigration evidence with complete accuracy, including names and place names.
• 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-site assignments at hospitals, courts, offices and other venues, and remote sessions by video or telephone.
• Take on transcription and translation of Tamil recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.

Skills

Fluency in Tamil and English

Understanding of Sri Lankan Tamil

Understanding of Indian Tamil usage

Education

DPSI/DPI or translation degree

CIOL/ITI/NRPSI membership (welcome)

Job description

SILA Linguists® is looking for freelance Tamil interpreters and translators. Work covers healthcare, immigration, legal and community settings, by video, telephone or in person.

Tamil speakers in the UK come mainly from Sri Lanka and from Tamil Nadu in India, and the two communities differ in vocabulary, accent and some formal terms. Many Sri Lankan Tamil clients have experience of conflict and displacement, so assignments in immigration and mental health settings call for a calm and careful approach.

Assignments take place in immigration matters, tribunal hearings, mental health services, GP practices, schools and local authority settings. Translators work on identity documents, medical evidence, legal statements and community information in Tamil script.

Responsibilities

• Interpret for Sri Lankan and Indian Tamil speakers, noting regional terms that could cause confusion.
• Translate asylum and immigration evidence with complete accuracy, including names and place names.
• 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-site assignments at hospitals, courts, offices and other venues, and remote sessions by video or telephone.
• Take on transcription and translation of Tamil recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.

Requirements

• Full professional fluency in both Tamil and 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 both Sri Lankan and Indian Tamil usage.
• 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.

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

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