About the role

isiZulu is one of the main home languages of South Africa and is understood across much of the country. It belongs to the Nguni group with isiXhosa, siSwati and Zimbabwean isiNdebele. Some clients mix in English, Afrikaans or township speech, so interpreters need to be comfortable with code-switching and with formal and informal registers.

Assignments include medical consultations, mental health appointments, solicitor meetings, court hearings and immigration matters, as well as business meetings and document translation for South African companies and families.

What you will do

Interpret between English and isiZulu in medical, legal and business settings, adjusting register to the client.
Translate South African documents such as birth certificates, affidavits and medical reports from isiZulu into English.
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.
Attend video and telephone assignments from a quiet, private space with a reliable connection.
Produce accurate transcripts and English translations of recorded Zulu speech, for example police interviews or research recordings.

What we are looking for

Native or near-native fluency in isiZulu and English, spoken and written.
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.
Knowledge of isiXhosa, isiNdebele, siSwati or Afrikaans is an advantage.
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.

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

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

Yes. If you also interpret in isiXhosa, isiNdebele or siSwati, list each one in your application.

Is this a freelance role?

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

Apply for this role

Freelance Zulu Interpreter and Translator