Freelance Sylheti Interpreter

We are recruiting freelance Sylheti interpreters for healthcare, social care, legal and education work, by telephone, video or face to face, with Bengali translation where you are qualified.

Many British Bangladeshi families have roots in the Sylhet division of Bangladesh, and Sylheti is the home language of many older people and of families who arrived more recently. Sylheti differs from standard Bengali in sounds, grammar and vocabulary, and many older speakers understand standard Bengali only partly, so assignments often call for Sylheti specifically.

Assignments include GP, hospital and maternity care, dementia and end-of-life care, social services, housing, schools and family court. Sylheti is rarely written today, so written translation is usually into standard Bengali, and transcription of recorded Sylheti speech into English is common.

• Interpret between English and Sylheti, using plain, familiar words with older clients.
• Transcribe and translate recorded Sylheti speech into English, and translate written material into Bengali where you are qualified.
• 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.

• Native or near-native fluency in Sylheti and English; good Bengali is an advantage.
• 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.
• Experience in health or social care settings, including dementia or palliative care, is welcome.
• 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.

• 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.

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

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