[Hiring] Linguist/Transcriber @LILT (Production)

Role Description

Are you a skilled linguist with strong attention to detail and a passion for working with real-world spoken language? We are building a global pool of transcribers, translators, and language specialists to support a large-scale multilingual speech-to-text and translation project.

You will work on real audio data (speech recordings) across African languages, helping to create high-quality verbatim transcriptions and English translations that support advanced language technology development.

Depending on your assigned role, you may contribute to one or both of the following workflows:

• Transcription (Native Language)
  • Produce verbatim transcripts from audio, including noises, cross talk, etc.
  • Ensure high fidelity to spoken content while following provided annotation guidelines.
• Translation (Native Language → English)
  • Translate transcribed content into natural, fluent English.
  • Preserve meaning, tone, and cultural nuance of spoken language.
• Quality Review (as applicable)
  • Review and correct transcripts or translations for accuracy and completeness.
  • Provide structured feedback on linguistic issues where needed.
• Optional Dual Role (Transcription + Translation)
  • In some cases, linguists may work across both transcription and translation tasks depending on skillset and project needs.
  • This includes working from audio → transcript → English translation within the same workflow.

Qualifications

• Native-level proficiency in the target language(s).
• A graduate qualification in translation, linguistics, or language studies, OR a graduate qualification in another field plus 2 years of full-time professional translation experience, OR 5 years of full-time professional translation experience.
• Prior experience with spoken language transcription is a strong advantage.

Requirements

• Not ideal as a full-time job or primary income source.
• Work availability fluctuates with project demand, making this better suited as a supplemental income stream.
• As a 1099 contractor, you won't receive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions, and hours are not guaranteed.
• Requires reliable availability and commitment.
• Once you accept a task, we expect quality work and on-time delivery.
• Most tasks require a minimum of 2 hours per day or 10 hours per week.
• If your schedule is unpredictable, this may not be the right fit.
• Geographic restrictions may apply.
• We cannot engage contractors in regions subject to international embargo or sanctions.
• As a 1099 contractor, you are solely responsible for your own tax obligations.

Benefits

• Your schedule, your rules.
• As an independent contractor, work when you want, as much or as little as you want. No fixed hours, no check-ins, no micromanaging.
• Get paid quickly and fairly.
• We respect your time and your expertise. Competitive rates, prompt payments, no chasing invoices.
• Work on projects that actually matter.
• Contribute to cutting-edge AI and language technology that is shaping how humans and machines communicate.
• Be part of something bigger.
• Join a global community of linguists, subject matter experts, and language professionals who are advancing human knowledge together.
• Grow without limits.
• As a Lilt contractor, you get access to diverse, innovative projects that expand your portfolio and sharpen your skills across industries and domains.
• Have fun doing what you love.
• Bring your language skills to life on projects that are as interesting as they are impactful.