Interpreters: ethics and roles

O What are Ethics? O a set of moral principles : O Moral obligations, O Code of conducts O “The basic concepts and principles of right human conduct”.

The general principles contained in the different codes of ethics require translators and interpreters to: O respect their clients’ right to privacy and confidentiality. O Not disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest. O decline 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 professional O 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.

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O In the clip the interpreter made so many mistakes: O She arrived late O 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.

O A good interpreter should be: O On time O Well prepared O Respectful O Focused on the job (not concerned about appearing on TV) O Practical 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:

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.