Have you ever imagined that you could be rewarded handsomely for being a bilingual speaker? If you are a non-native English speaker with a decent command of English and another language, you are already halfway qualified as an interpreter.

What does an interpreter do? 

Being an interpreter is a noble role where you assist people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) to communicate in English. You become their voice; helping them express their thoughts and communicate with professionals such as doctors, police officers, judges, etc In simpler words, you make sure their voices are heard because that’s their human rights.

This role is highly sought after in America, Canada, and the United Kingdom due to the government’s support for fair access to language within the country.

There are two types of interpreters: consecutive interpreters and simultaneous interpreters.

•  A consecutive interpreter listens to what the speaker is saying and interprets after the speaker has completed or paused between messages.
• A simultaneous interpreter interprets in real-time as the speaker speaks; this is a more challenging type of interpretation, as one has to keep up with the tempo and speed while interpreting on the fly.
  

What are the required qualification?

The first step to becoming an interpreter is to have fluency in English and the target interpretation language. Once you have satisfied this basic pre-requisite, you will need to pass a simple screening test. You will be assessed on your pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and tenses via several daily conversational topics.

Once you pass the screening test, which includes both English and your target language, you will undergo a one-month intensive training. Then, you become either a medical or court interpreter.

Ideally, you should be able to read and write in both English and your target language. However, some companies are quite lenient as they’re desperate to fill the role.

How to find a freelance interpreter job

A globally connected world opens up the possibility for remote interpretation. While most of these roles are available in America, Canada, and the United Kingdom, you can find many similar roles at smaller agencies in Asia.

Here’s how:

1. Open a local job portal.

2. Type ‘Interpreter” in the search bar. 

3. Filter the results by country.

Other than that, if you’re brave enough, you may reach out to some international interpretation companies such as Transperfect, Language Line Solutions, and Globo to supply minutes of interpretation to them as their contractor. However, this is only possible if you have at least six months of interpretation experience.

Pro and Con

As an interpreter, you can work on-site or remotely. Because mine was a remote arrangement, here’s what I felt throughout my experience. 

• Flexibility: Remote work offers flexibility, allowing interpreters to avoid returning to conventional office settings.
• Comfort: Interpreters can work from the comfort of their home, wearing whatever they like, and without the need to be on camera (for voice-only interpreting).
• No commute: Avoiding daily traffic and commuting is a significant advantage.
• Cost savings: Meals are cheaper as interpreters can prepare simple meals at home.
• No office drama: Working alone eliminates the need to deal with office politics or drama.
• No paperwork: After logging out, there is no paperwork or follow-up tasks required.
• Work-life boundaries: Once logged out, there are no work-related interruptions, such as calls during holidays.

Cons:

• Graveyard hours: For interpreters based in Asian countries, remote work may require working during the night, which can be challenging due to the need to stay awake during unconventional hours.
• Lack of physical interaction: While not explicitly mentioned, remote work can lead to isolation and a lack of social interaction, which might be a drawback for some.

How I freelance as an interpreter

I used to work in the MNC as a corporate salesperson but after taking a career break, it was hard for me to return to the corporate world due to my age and career gap.

During Covid, I chanced upon this interpreter role that offered to pay MYR 4.8k per month by working remotely at home. Best of all, no experience was needed. It sounded a little too good to be true, but I thought I had nothing to lose.

I was informed that I need to be able to read in Chinese, otherwise it would be really hard for me to be an interpreter. Nonetheless, due to the company’s desperation to fill up the Cantonese <> English interpreter seats, I was allowed to participate in the screening test.

 I was worried that I would not be able to make it, but somehow, I managed to pass.

My challenges

 Don’t be too happy yet; there is still a one-month intensive training where you will be trained on all the necessary terminologies, protocols, industry knowledge, the do’s and don’ts, and a lot more. It isn’t as easy as it sounds, and the key to becoming a good interpreter lies in accuracy in listening skills and quick note-taking. If you do not pass the test after that one month of training, you will not be paid a single cent! So, better pay attention.

 Interpreters are expected to interpret verbatim, which means we cannot add or omit any information. We are not allowed to share our thoughts or opinions, even if the client insists, as that would break our interpreter protocol. Our role is merely to interpret and not get involved personally. The moment we answer the call, we have to disconnect our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions and just get the interpretation done.

There were tough calls that could break our souls. Some days, we keep a poor patient company during their grueling cancer treatment; other days, we are there to support a patient during the last moments of their life; and sometimes, we are fortunate to keep a mother company as she welcomes her child into the world.

Regardless of the joy or sorrow the call may bring; we must disconnect ourselves and remain professional.

A glance at my interpreter role

I recently shared what I did during my days freelancing as an interpreter. You can check it out on my LinkedIn post.

Can you make money as a freelance interpreter?

Would you be able to earn well as an interpreter? The short answer is yes. But the catch is you need to earn in USD.

If you are attached to a local company, chances are you would be paid in MYR. The local rate is MYR 30 per hour. With Over Time, if you are as insane as I was; clocking in 330 hours per month, it is possible to hit MYR 10k a month (approx $2.5 K).

However, if you have the guts to work directly with overseas companies, you will be rewarded in USD instead of MYR. Upon currency conversion, it is possible to earn MYR 100 (~$25) or more per hour.

If you are a conservative person, you may opt to be paid an hourly rate. Although this is lower, you will be guaranteed a certain amount of earnings regardless of whether there are any incoming calls.

If you are a risk taker, you may choose to work on a per-call basis, where your rate is based on per-minute calculation. You will only be rewarded for the minutes you provide interpretation services. If it happens to be a public holiday, chances are you could be sitting there for hours with not a single call coming in.

If you are ambitious enough, aim to be a simultaneous interpreter at big events. Depending on your reputation and experience, you could be rewarded USD 500 or more per day.

Conclusion

You gain more flexibility as a freelance interpreter, but be mindful of the stress involved. Plus, the job is very demanding, and you need to be at your best all the time. A minute misinterpretation may cost a person’s life or result in them losing out on their rightful benefits.

Do it right, and we become their voice. Do it wrong, and we become guilty of harming someone else. It is a great responsibility to be an interpreter.

Would you want to give this role a shot?

This article is authored by Suanne Lai, a B2B sales professional who once hustled as a freelance interpreter. You can connect with Suanne on LinkedIn.