About the role

Albanian speakers in the UK come from Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. The language has two main dialect groups, Gheg in the north and Tosk in the south, and standard Albanian is based on Tosk. Interpreters should be confident with both, since many clients, particularly from Kosovo and northern Albania, speak Gheg.

Assignments take place in immigration and asylum interviews, solicitor appointments, police and court settings, health services and local authority services. Translators work on identity and civil documents, court papers and evidence from Albania and Kosovo.

What you will do

Interpret for Gheg and Tosk speakers in police, court and immigration settings.
Translate Albanian and Kosovan civil and legal documents accurately.
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.
Deliver written translations that are accurate, complete and proofread, on or before the agreed deadline.
Work remotely by video or telephone, or on site at the client's premises, arriving prepared and on time.
Produce accurate transcripts and English translations of recorded Albanian speech, for example police interviews or research recordings.

What we are looking for

Excellent spoken and written Albanian and English, with the ability to switch register for different clients.
The DPSI (Diploma in Public Service Interpreting), DPI (Diploma in Police Interpreting) or an equivalent qualification is an advantage; CIOL or ITI membership is welcome.
Understanding of both Gheg and Tosk Albanian.
Willingness to complete a DBS check for assignments in healthcare, education or with vulnerable people.
Right to work in the UK if you will take on-site assignments in the UK.
A reliable internet connection, headset and quiet, private workspace for remote assignments.

What we offer

Remote work by video and telephone, 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.

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

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

Questions

Do you need interpreters for Kosovo Albanian clients?

Yes. Many clients speak Gheg varieties from Kosovo or northern Albania, so experience with these is valuable.

Is this a freelance role?

Yes. This is freelance (self-employed) work, so you choose which assignments to accept.

Apply for this role

Freelance Albanian Interpreter and Translator