Freelance Kinyarwanda Interpreter and Translator

About the role

Kinyarwanda is the national language of Rwanda and is also spoken in eastern DR Congo (as Kinyabwisha) and south-west Uganda (as Rufumbira). It is largely intelligible with Kirundi. Rwandan clients may also speak French, English or Swahili, and the language used often depends on their age and where they were educated.

Assignments include asylum and immigration matters, solicitor appointments, mental health care, GP and hospital visits, and community services. Some cases involve sensitive histories, so interpreters must stay calm, accurate and impartial.

What you will do

• Interpret between English and Kinyarwanda, and tell us early if a client is more comfortable in Kirundi or Swahili.
• Translate Rwandan documents and statements, many of which mix Kinyarwanda, French and English.
• 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.
• Take on-site assignments at hospitals, courts, offices and other venues, and remote sessions by video or telephone.
• Take on transcription and translation of Kinyarwanda recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.

What we are looking for

• Native or near-native fluency in Kinyarwanda and English, spoken and written.
• Relevant qualifications such as the DPSI, DPI or a translation degree, or equivalent professional experience; CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership is welcome.
• Kirundi, French or Swahili is an advantage.
• 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.

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

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

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