Freelance Romani Interpreter and Translator
We are recruiting freelance Romani interpreters and translators for education, healthcare, social care and legal work with Roma families, remotely or on site.
- Type Freelance (self-employed)
- Work Remote (video and telephone) and on-site
- Where United Kingdom
About the role
Romani has many dialects, and the Roma families we work with speak different ones depending on where they come from: Slovak and Czech Romani (Carpathian), Vlax Romani from Romania and Hungary, and Balkan varieties. Most clients also speak the language of their home country, but many are more confident in Romani for sensitive conversations.
Assignments include school meetings, children's services, GP and hospital care, housing and benefits matters, and legal appointments. Interpreters who understand Roma culture and can build trust with families are highly valued.
What you will do
- Interpret in Romani for Roma families, confirming the dialect at the start of each assignment.
- Translate information leaflets and letters into clear, spoken-style Romani for families, where you write it confidently.
- 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 Romani recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.
What we are looking for
- Native or near-native fluency in at least one Romani dialect and in English.
- Relevant qualifications such as the DPSI, DPI or a translation degree, or equivalent professional experience; CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership is welcome.
- Slovak, Czech, Romanian or Hungarian 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.
Romani 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 Romani linguist with us, you can take on the full range of work we offer in Romani:
- Romani 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.
- Romani translation of documents into and out of English, from letters, medical reports and school records to contracts, research and websites.
- Certified Romani translation with a signed statement of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities such as courts, the Home Office, universities and employers.
- Romani 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
Which Romani dialects do you need?
Several, especially Slovak, Czech and Romanian Romani. Please list each dialect you speak.
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.