Freelance Malinke (Maninka) Interpreter and Translator
We are recruiting freelance Malinke interpreters and translators for asylum, legal, healthcare and community assignments by telephone, video or in person.
- Type Freelance (self-employed)
- Work Remote (video and telephone) and on-site
- Where United Kingdom
About the role
Malinke (Maninka) is spoken in Guinea, especially Upper Guinea around Kankan, and in Mali, Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. It belongs to the Manding group with Bambara, Dyula and Mandinka. Some speakers write it in the N'Ko alphabet, while others use Latin script or French.
Assignments take place in asylum and immigration interviews, solicitor appointments, health care and court hearings. Many clients also speak French, Susu or Pular.
What you will do
- Interpret in Malinke for clients from Guinea, Mali and Côte d'Ivoire, adapting to each regional variety.
- Translate Malinke statements, including any in N'Ko script where you can read it, and French documents where qualified.
- 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 Malinke recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.
What we are looking for
- Native or near-native fluency in Malinke and English.
- Relevant qualifications such as the DPSI, DPI or a translation degree, or equivalent professional experience; CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership is welcome.
- French, Bambara, Susu or Pular is an advantage; reading N'Ko is welcome.
- 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.
Malinke 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 Malinke linguist with us, you can take on the full range of work we offer in Malinke:
- Malinke 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.
- Malinke translation of documents into and out of English, from letters, medical reports and school records to contracts, research and websites.
- Certified Malinke translation with a signed statement of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities such as courts, the Home Office, universities and employers.
- Malinke 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 also need Bambara or Dyula interpreters?
Sometimes. If you can interpret in other Manding languages, list them in your application.
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.