About the role

Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish) is a widely spoken Kurdish variety, used in south-east Turkey, north-east Syria, northern Iraq and among Kurds in north-west Iran and the Caucasus. In Turkey and Syria it is written in the Latin-based Hawar alphabet. Many clients from Turkey also speak Turkish, and many from Syria also speak Arabic.

Assignments include immigration and asylum matters, solicitor appointments, police interviews and courts, GP and hospital care, and community and family services. Turkish-Kurdish communities in the UK also need interpreters for employment, housing and business matters.

What you will do

Interpret in Kurmanji for clients from Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, adjusting to each regional background.
Translate Kurmanji documents and messages written in the Latin-based Hawar alphabet.
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 Kurdish Kurmanji speech, for example police interviews or research recordings.

What we are looking for

Native or near-native fluency in Kurmanji 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.
Turkish or Arabic is an advantage; Badini or Zazaki is also 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.

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

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

Badini is the Kurmanji spoken in the Duhok area of Iraqi Kurdistan, and has its own vacancy. If you speak both, say so in one application.

Can I work remotely?

Yes. Many assignments are delivered by video or telephone, and on-site work in the UK is also available.

Apply for this role

Freelance Kurdish Kurmanji Interpreter and Translator