About the role

Levantine Arabic covers the dialects of Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. They are close enough to be mutually understood but differ in vocabulary and accent, and rural, Bedouin and city speech differ within each country. Many Syrian families have been resettled in the UK in recent years, and many still need interpreters for health, school and legal matters.

Assignments include GP and hospital care, mental health services, schools, housing, police and court work, and immigration matters. Translators work on Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian and Jordanian civil documents and academic records.

What you will do

Interpret in Levantine Arabic for Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian and Jordanian clients, adapting to city and rural speech.
Translate Levantine civil, academic and medical documents from Arabic into 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 Levantine Arabic recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.

What we are looking for

Native or near-native fluency in Levantine Arabic 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.
Kurdish (Kurmanji) or Turkish is an advantage for some Syrian clients.
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.

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

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

Yes. Syrian Arabic is the most requested Levantine variety, but we also need Lebanese, Palestinian and Jordanian speakers.

Is this a freelance role?

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

Apply for this role

Freelance Levantine (Syrian) Arabic Interpreter and Translator