Freelance Malay Interpreter and Translator

About the role

Malay (Bahasa Melayu) is the national language of Malaysia and Brunei and an official language of Singapore. It is close to Indonesian, though vocabulary and spelling differ. Many clients are students, professionals and families from Malaysia, and much of the work involves business, legal and academic documents as well as interpreting.

Assignments include university and education matters, business meetings, legal and immigration work, and medical appointments. Translators work on contracts, certificates, academic records and marketing material.

What you will do

• Interpret between English and Malay in business, legal, education and medical settings.
• Translate Malaysian and Bruneian documents, using Malaysian rather than Indonesian terms unless asked.
• Interpret accurately and impartially, following the professional code of conduct and keeping all information confidential.
• Research subject-specific vocabulary before assignments, particularly for medical and legal bookings.
• Work remotely by video or telephone, or on site at the client's premises, arriving prepared and on time.
• Transcribe and translate audio and video recordings, such as interviews and calls, if you have the skills for transcription work.

What we are looking for

• Native or near-native fluency in Malay and English, spoken and written.
• A recognised interpreting or translation qualification, such as the DPSI or DPI, or equivalent experience. Membership of CIOL, ITI or NRPSI is welcome but not required.
• Indonesian is an advantage; Jawi script is welcome.
• A current DBS check, or willingness to obtain one, for assignments that require it.
• The right to work in the UK for on-site UK assignments.
• A dependable internet connection and a confidential space for remote interpreting.

What we offer

• Flexible freelance work that fits around your schedule.
• A mix of remote (video and telephone) and on-site assignments.
• Fair pay for your expertise and time.
• Professional development to keep your skills current.
• A supportive operations team to help with bookings and questions.
• Varied work across sectors, from healthcare and law to government and business.

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

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