Freelance Yoruba Interpreter and Translator

About the role

Yoruba is spoken in south-west Nigeria, Benin and Togo, and by long-established Nigerian communities in the UK. It is a tonal language written in Latin script with tone marks and dotted letters; without them, words can be ambiguous, so careful written work matters. Regional varieties such as Ijesha, Ekiti and Egba differ from standard Yoruba.

Assignments include GP, hospital and maternity care for older relatives and new arrivals, mental health services, solicitor appointments, family court and immigration matters. Translators work on certificates, affidavits and statements.

What you will do

• Interpret between English and Yoruba, adapting to regional speech and checking proverbs and idioms rather than translating them literally.
• Translate Yoruba texts with correct tone marks and diacritics, and Nigerian certificates into English.
• 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 Yoruba 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.
• The ability to type Yoruba with correct diacritics is expected for translation work.
• 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.

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

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