About the role

Hassaniya is the Arabic dialect of Mauritania and Western Sahara, also spoken in southern Morocco, south-west Algeria, northern Mali and Senegal. It is quite different from other Maghrebi dialects, with its own vocabulary and loanwords from Berber and West African languages. Sahrawi clients may also speak Spanish, and Mauritanian clients French.

Assignments take place in asylum and immigration interviews, solicitor appointments, tribunal hearings and health care. Documents are usually in Standard Arabic or French.

What you will do

Interpret in Hassaniya for clients from Mauritania, Western Sahara, Mali and nearby areas.
Translate statements and Standard Arabic or French documents into English, where qualified.
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 Hassaniya speech, for example police interviews or research recordings.

What we are looking for

Native or near-native fluency in Hassaniya Arabic and English.
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.
French or Spanish is an advantage; Soninke, Pulaar or Wolof 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.

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

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

Yes. Please tell us whether your Hassaniya is Mauritanian, Sahrawi or from another area.

Is this a freelance role?

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

Apply for this role

Freelance Hassaniya Arabic Interpreter and Translator