Interpreters: ethics and roles

O What are Ethics?O a set of moral principles :O Moral obligations, O Code of conductsO “The basic concepts and principles of

right human conduct”.

The general principles contained in the different codes of ethics require translators and interpreters to:

Orespect their clients’ right to privacy and confidentiality.

ONot disclose any real or perceived

conflicts of interest. Odecline to undertake work beyond their

competence or accreditation levels

O relay information accurately and impartially between parties

O maintain professional detachment and refrain from inappropriate self-promotion

O guard against misuse of inside information for personal gain

O Interpreters need to be professionalO Interpreters need to respect their

clients and be punctual.O The should adhere to appropriate

dress code.O Interpreters should sit in an

appropriate position between participants.

https://youtu.be/nlLMBFkUAgw

O In the clip the interpreter made so many mistakes:O She arrived lateO She was not dressed appropriately.O She had no paper or pen.O She used her mobile during the

interpreting session.O She disclosed information about the

meeting.

OA good interpreter should be:OOn timeOWell preparedORespectfulOFocused on the job (not concerned

about appearing on TV)OPractical in terms of choosing

where to stand or sit

O Interpreters should be aware of their position and maintain good distance.

O Here is an interpreter in court setting:

O Example 1

You are booked for a medical assignment in a hospital. Upon arrival, you are sent to the Ante-natal Clinic. You are asked to interpret for a patient and a nurse about ante-natal testing to determine birth defects and possible procedures including abortion.

What do you do? Taken from NAATI website: www.naati.com.au/

O Example 2

You interpret during a psychiatric assessment between a patient and a psychiatrist. At the end of the interview, after the non-English speaking client has left, the psychiatrist takes you aside and asks you, “I think this patient is mentally unstable and depressed. What do you think?”

How would you respond?

O The practitioner should explain to the psychiatrist what their role as an interpreter is, that is, to facilitate communication between the psychiatrist and his/her patient [1.a) ii)].

O This should be explained in a polite and courteous manner [1.a) )]. The practitioner also, in accordance with the principle of Impartiality, [4.c) ii)] shall not voice or write an opinion, solicited or unsolicited on any matter or person in relation to an assignment. The determination of a person’s mental stability or of clinical depression is a diagnosis only a qualified mental health specialist is able to make.

I was interpreting in a political asylum case. The

petitioner asked to never be returned to his

home country because he feared he would be

executed. Three days later, I had to translate the

denial of his asylum request to him. He was

stunned and in a shaky voice asked me if I had

translated his request to the asylum board

correctly. I got upset with him and told him he

had no right to question the quality of my work.