About the role

Tagalog is the basis of Filipino, the national language of the Philippines. Many Tagalog speakers in the UK work in health and care and speak English well at work, but family members and those in difficult situations, such as employment disputes or modern slavery cases, may need an interpreter. Some clients prefer Cebuano, Ilocano or another Philippine language.

Requests include employment tribunals, immigration solicitors, healthcare appointments, family court hearings and safeguarding cases. Translators handle Philippine civil registry documents, contracts and correspondence.

What you will do

Interpret in employment and safeguarding cases with sensitivity and strict impartiality.
Translate Philippine civil documents, keeping names and spellings consistent with official records.
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-site assignments at hospitals, courts, offices and other venues, and remote sessions by video or telephone.
Take on transcription and translation of Tagalog recordings for legal, research and media clients, if this work interests you.

What we are looking for

Full professional fluency in both Tagalog and English.
Relevant qualifications such as the DPSI, DPI or a translation degree, or equivalent professional experience; CIOL, ITI or NRPSI membership is welcome.
Cebuano, Ilocano or another Philippine language 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.

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

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

Is Filipino the same as Tagalog?

Filipino is the standardised national language based on Tagalog. For our purposes they are treated as one language, but please tell us about any other Philippine languages 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.

Apply for this role

Freelance Tagalog (Filipino) Interpreter and Translator