About the role

Mandarin is the standard spoken language of mainland China and Taiwan and is spoken by students, professionals and families across the UK. Mainland Chinese speakers use Simplified Chinese characters, while Taiwanese speakers use Traditional characters. Many speakers of other Chinese languages also use Mandarin as a shared language.

Assignments take place in universities, business meetings, healthcare settings, police interviews and court hearings. Translation work covers contracts, technical and marketing material, academic records and legal documents.

What you will do

Interpret in business, academic, medical and legal settings with accurate terminology.
Translate into Simplified or Traditional Chinese according to the target audience.
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.
Check every translation against the source before delivery and meet agreed deadlines.
Take on transcription and translation of Mandarin recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.

What we are looking for

Full professional fluency in both Mandarin and English.
Relevant qualifications such as the DPSI, DPI or a translation degree, or equivalent professional experience; CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership is welcome.
Strong written Chinese in Simplified characters; Traditional characters or Cantonese is an advantage.
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.

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

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

Both. Most mainland Chinese work uses Simplified characters, while Hong Kong and Taiwanese clients use Traditional. Tell us which you write.

How do I apply?

Use the application form on this page. Tell us your languages, dialects, qualifications and the type of work you are interested in.

Apply for this role

Freelance Mandarin Interpreter and Translator