About the role

Konkani is the official language of Goa and is also spoken along the coasts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. It is written in Devanagari (the official script in Goa), in Roman script (Romi Konkani, used widely by Goan Catholics) and in Kannada script. Many Goans hold Portuguese citizenship, and sizeable Goan communities live in several UK towns and cities.

Work includes GP and hospital appointments, maternity and children's services, employment matters and legal advice. Translators handle letters and information sheets in the script the client reads most comfortably.

What you will do

Interpret between English and Konkani for Goan, Mangalorean and other Konkani speakers.
Translate into Romi or Devanagari Konkani, as the client prefers, and keep spellings consistent.
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 Konkani speech, for example police interviews or research recordings.

What we are looking for

Native or near-native fluency in Konkani 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.
Portuguese, Marathi, Kannada or Hindi 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.

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

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

Which Konkani script should I use?

The one the client reads. Many Goan clients prefer Romi Konkani, while official Goan documents use Devanagari.

Do I need the DPSI to apply?

No. The DPSI or a similar qualification is welcome, and some clients require it for legal or police work, but it is not mandatory for every assignment.

Apply for this role

Freelance Konkani Interpreter and Translator