Translator ethics in profession-oriented networks Julie McDonough Dolmaya School of Translation York University

Translation network: : actors share common translation-related interest or values : linked in interdependent relationships of exchange of services or information related to translation Network : Spatially diffuse structure : undefined boundaries : comprised of actors with common interests or values : actors linked in relationships of exchange (c.f. Gross Stein & Stren 2001: 5)

Profession-oriented networks: : common interest in promoting translation as professional activity. : focus--> activities, events, problems, issues related to language professions e.g. defending the rights of language professionals promoting professionalism enhancing the status of language professionals improving working conditions Practice-oriented networks: : focus primarily on translation practice : actors linked by interest in the act of translation Research-oriented networks: : focus on translation as a field of study e.g. translation studies, intercultural studies, translation technologies, comparative literature Education-oriented networks: : focus on issues related to teaching translation : interests include translator/interpreter training, curriculum development

Profession-oriented translation networks on FIT website Codes of ethics available online in English, French or Spanish Codes from 16 profession-oriented networks in 15 countries Translator's Charter from FIT For this study

Only 2 principles found in all 17 codes: confidentiality and competence Same 2 principles commonly found in codes of ethics of other professional networks e.g: professional engineers, accountants

Other common principles: Almost 75% stipulate that members should support other language professionals 50+% stipulate members must exhibit good general behaviour/decorum 50+% stipulate that members must be impartial, disclose conflicts of interest 50% provide guidelines for ethical advertising 50% mandate professional development 50% stipulate that members are responsible for quality of work (their own or subcontractors)

Principles that apply exclusively (or nearly so) to the translation profession: Accuracy Working languages Immoral or illegal texts

12 of 17 codes address accuracy 5 of the 12 do not tell translators what to do with ST errors, untruths or ambiguities Only 7 of the 12 address accuracy in any detail

Some codes restrict the decision-making ability of translators: Members of the Association shall endeavour to the utmost of their ability to provide a guaranteed faithful rendering of the original text which must [be] entirely free of their own personal interpretation, opinion or influence. (ITIA code of practice and professional ethics, Article 4.1, emphasis added) Members shall faithfully and accurately reproduce in the target language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message without embellishment, omission or explanation (ATIO Code of ethics, Article 2.2.1, emphasis added)

5 of 17 codes: members must translate only into mother tongue or they must master TL like a native speaker 1 exception: Client must be notified of limitations if member translates into non-mother tongue 1 of 17 codes: members must translate into mother tongue or a language in which they have demonstrated competence (assessed by association) Exception: Can translate into another language if client is notified in writing of risks, accepts the risks, and translation has a warning note 2 of 17 codes: members must translate into approved languages (assessed by association)

5 of 17 codes: members must not accept work that may be used for illegal, immoral, etc. purposes 1 code: members can break a contract if client tries to force them to commit illegal, dishonest, immoral, fraudulent acts Only 2 codes oblige members to inform authorities/association when they're asked to translate a text that could be used for illegal ends 1 code specifically tells members they do not have to ask clients about motives for the translation 0 codes oblige members to ask clients about motives for the translation

What about work that offends a translator's moral or personal beliefs but which may not be against the law? Only 3 codes address this issue: ITIA: members should not accept work that offends their moral/personal beliefs AUSIT: members must withdraw from assignments if they won't be able to be impartial because of personal beliefs/circumstances JTP: translation must not curtail members' civic and human rights, nor must it be against their dignity

Codes of ethics from 17 profession-oriented translation networks vs. ethics forums in practice-oriented networks TranslatorsCafe.com “Ethics and professionalism” forum 82 threads, messages dating back to 2003 Half raised ethical issues relevant to this paper

Issues most frequently discussed in the “ethics and professionalism” forum Rates –245 posts Training –222 posts Resolving conflicts (also part of “rates”) –85 posts Professionalism –75 posts Accuracy –74 posts Subcontracting –50 posts Advertising –43 posts Competence –41 posts Software/technology –33 posts Terms/working conditions –23 posts Texts for illegal/immoral/unethical ends –17 posts Copyright –11 posts Number of codes of ethics that address these issues 9 of 17 (rates) 9 of 17 (training) 11 of 17 (conflict resolution) 17 of 17 (professionalism) 12 of 17 (accuracy) 15 of 17 (subcontracting) 9 of 17 (advertising) 17 of 17 (competence) 0 of 17 (software) 3 of 17 (terms/working conditions) 5 of 17 (illegal/immoral/unethical texts) 2 of 17 (copyright)

Little consensus about what ethical principles translators should follow Principles most commonly found in the codes apply to all professional services, not just translation Principles that apply more specifically to translation are not often addressed in the codes Codes of ethics do not always provide clear guidelines for translators to follow (e.g. Only 12 codes address accuracy, and 5 of them don't define fidelity/faithfulness) No guidelines for ethical use of technology when translating Translator surveys could: help illuminate what other ethical issues translators need guidelines for help indicate how the codes of ethics could be improved help provide better data about who is facing these ethical issues (i.e. newcomers, experienced translators, interpreters, members of professional associations)