About the role

Afrikaans is spoken across South Africa and Namibia, both as a first language and as a lingua franca. Its regional and community varieties include Kaaps in the Western Cape. Most clients in the UK speak English well, so much of the work is document translation, legal matters and complex medical discussions.

Translators handle South African certificates, court papers, contracts, wills and business documents. Interpreting includes court and tribunal hearings, solicitor meetings, medical appointments and business negotiations.

What you will do

Translate South African and Namibian legal, civil and business documents from Afrikaans into English.
Interpret in legal and medical settings where precision in Afrikaans is needed.
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 Afrikaans speech, for example police interviews or research recordings.

What we are looking for

Native or near-native fluency in Afrikaans 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 South African legal and administrative terms is an advantage; Dutch is welcome.
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.

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

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

Is most Afrikaans work translation?

Much of it is, especially legal and civil documents, but we also have interpreting bookings in courts and health settings.

How do I apply?

Use the application form on this page. Tell us your languages, dialects, qualifications and the type of work you are interested in.

Apply for this role

Freelance Afrikaans Interpreter and Translator