María Francisco Montesó

Intro to Interpreting 312

Sample Code of Ethics for Interpreters and Translators

 Proficiency
I have met the minimum proficiency standards set by the agency in the language for which I am
being asked to interpret as demonstrated by passing the required examinations and receiving
satisfactory training evaluations.
 Confidentiality
I will treat all information learned during the interpretation as confidential, not divulging any
information obtained through my assignments, including but not limited to information gained
through interviews or access to documents and other written materials.
The expectation that the interpreter will keep information confidential does not apply when
disclosure is authorized by law or is necessary to prevent serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm
to a client or other identifiable person. In all such instances, interpreters should disclose the least
amount of confidential information necessary to achieve the desired purpose. Remember: if you are
a mandated reporter of abuse or neglect, then you must report.
 Accuracy: Conveying the Content and Spirit of What Is Said
I shall transmit the message in a thorough and faithful manner, giving consideration to linguistic
variations in both languages and conveying the tone and spirit of the original message. A word-for-
word interpretation may not convey the intended idea. I must determine the relevant concept and
say it in language that is readily understandable and culturally appropriate to the listener. In
addition, I will make every effort to assure that the client has understood questions, instructions and
other information transmitted by the service provider.
 Completeness: Conveying Everything That Is Said
I shall interpret everything that is said by all people in the interaction, without omitting, adding,
condensing or changing anything. If the content to be interpreted might be perceived because of
cultural differences, as offensive, insensitive or otherwise harmful to the dignity and well-being of
the customer, I will advise the Agency provider of this before interpreting.
 Conveying Cultural Frameworks
I shall explain cultural differences or practices to the provider(s) and clients when appropriate. I shall
practice cultural competence and sensitivity.
 Non-Judgmental Attitude about the Content to be Interpreted
I understand an interpreter’s function is to facilitate communication. Interpreters are not
responsible for what is said by anyone for whom they are interpreting. Even if I disagree with what
is said or think it is wrong, a lie or immoral, I will suspend judgment, make no comment, and
interpret everything accurately.
María Francisco Montesó
Intro to Interpreting 312

 Client Self-Determination
I understand that, as the interpreter, the client may ask me for my opinion. If this happens, I will not
influence the opinion of the clients by telling them or offering them advice as to what action to take
during or after the assignment.
 Attitude Toward Clients
I shall strive to develop a relationship of trust and respect at all times with the client by adopting a
caring, attentive, yet discreet and impartial attitude toward the client, toward his or her questions,
concerns and needs.
I shall treat each client equally with dignity and respect regardless or race, color, gender, religion,
nationality, age, political persuasion or life-style choice. I will be sensitive and aware of dignity and
respect within the context of the client’s culture.
 Acceptance of Assignments
I understand that if my level of competency or beliefs or personal opinion makes it difficult to abide
by any of the above conditions, I must make the Agency provider aware of this and decline the
assignment or, if the assignment has begun, withdraw from the assignment for the well-being of the
Agency provider and the client. I understand no adverse repercussions will follow because of my
decision to refuse or withdraw.
I will disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest that could affect my objectivity. For example,
an interpreter should refrain from providing services to family members or friends.
 Compensation
I shall not accept any fee or additional money, considerations or favors for my interpreter service
from the client, patient or customer, or his friends or relatives. I further understand that I shall not
use the agency’s time, facilities, equipment or supplies for private gain, nor will I use my position to
secure privileges.
 Self-Evaluation
I shall represent my qualifications, certification(s), training and experience accurately and
completely.
 Ethical Violations
If I perceive encounters that I believe to be in violation of the Code of Ethics, I will inform the Agency
provider immediately. If the situation cannot be resolved, I shall withdraw from the assignment.

 Professionalism
I shall maintain professional behavior at all times while serving or working with clients and
professionals.
María Francisco Montesó
Intro to Interpreting 312

Ethical Dilemmas
Complete this activity following the NINE standards of practice recommended by the for
Interpreters of the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) on Blackboard

For each of the following situations, decide

 which area(s) of the Code of Ethics is involved and
 what the interpreter should do in this situation.

Scenario One
You are interpreting for a Spanish-speaking woman who is interviewing for a job at DSS in the file
room. The supervisor is asking about her education and background. The applicant is giving
inappropriate answers and her grammar in Spanish is poor. You are sure she will not be hired if you
make similar errors in English grammar.

Scenario Two
You are interpreting at a county office. The worker has accepted applications from several people in
one family, and he is trying to sort out who is who and what each family has in the way of income.
You are interpreting as best you can what the worker and different family members are saying. You
hear a whispered side conversation between two family members about what they should put down
as the monthly income. One of them says, “I put down $300.00 because if I put down $700 I won’t
get the help.”

Scenario Three
You appear for an assignment at DSS only to find that the client is someone that you interpreted for
at DHEC about two weeks ago. He is applying for food stamps and states that he has not worked for
the past three months. Two weeks ago at DHEC he stated that he works “off the books” on a local
farm and earns about $350 per week.

Scenario Four
You are sight translating an application form to a client so that the client can fill it out. The client
comes to a question and says he doesn’t understand and asks you what he should put down for the
answer.

Scenario Five
You are interpreting a Family Independence interview, and the worker sets up the follow-up
appointment on a date that you know, from your cultural expertise, is probably a religious holiday
for this family.
María Francisco Montesó
Intro to Interpreting 312

Scenario Six
You begin an interpreting assignment and realize that the client speaks Spanish haltingly. It is not his
first language. You can’t identify the language, but you know that he is having difficulty
understanding your Spanish and you are having difficulty understanding him.

Scenario Seven
You are interpreting for a DSS worker on a food stamp interview. The worker seems to be having
difficulty understanding the client’s answers so she asks you to elaborate on what you think the
client really means.

Scenario Eight
You have known Juan Mendez for about five years from your involvement in the Latino Community.
You and your wife have been hanging out with him and his wife a good bit, and you have helped
them with some things like obtaining a driver’s license. You think Juan is a really nice guy. One night
you get a phone call from DSS to do a Child Protective Services interpretation and the worker is so
relieved to be able to find you to interpret. She tells you that the client is Juan Mendez.

Scenario Nine
You are out at a club with a group of friends. A woman in the group tells you that she heard that a
man she was dating named Pablo Ruiz got into trouble with DSS and the law for beating his kids. She
is very upset that he has turned out to be such a bad person, and she is telling everyone at the table
that she broke up with Pablo and what a jerk he is. You know from interpreting on this case that DSS
got a report on Pablo but his ex-wife made the report out of spite. Pablo was innocent and the case
was closed.

Scenario Ten
You are interpreting in the Health Department and the nurse leaves the room saying, “I’ll be right
back.” While she is gone, the client tells you that she has lied to the nurse about her medical
problems, and that last year in Mexico she was diagnosed with active TB. When the nurse returns
and reviews the medical history with the client, the client continues to hide this information.

Scenario Eleven
You are interpreting for a doctor at the Health Department. The client tells the doctor that his wife
left him and his kids. He doesn’t know what has come over him, but his oldest daughter has taken
over the “duties” of his wife. The doctor says that it is normal for the older kids to pitch in when
both parents are not in the home. You think the man, because of his voice inflection and body
language, may mean that he is having sex with the oldest daughter.

Scenario Twelve
You have a really good friend that you haven’t seen in several months. She calls to tell you that she
is getting married to the most wonderful guy. His name is Ernesto Rodriguez. You recognize the
name as someone that you interpreted for last year in domestic violence court.
María Francisco Montesó
Intro to Interpreting 312

Scenario Thirteen
You are interpreting at the Health Department STD clinic. The nurse stepped out and you are waiting
for her return. You look down the hall and see your brother’s new girlfriend coming out of the HIV
Clinic.

Scenario Fourteen
You are sitting in the waiting room chatting with a mother who has a young baby. You are waiting
for the Health Department nurse to call her back to the immunization clinic. You will interpret for
her. She is telling you that her baby has had some medical problems, but that she doesn’t trust the
baby’s doctor. She has taken the baby to the faith healer, who told her not to give the baby any
medication. Inside the clinic she does not tell the nurse any of this information and states that she is
giving the baby the medicine.

Scenario Fifteen
DSS has arranged for you to interpret for a client that you have interpreted for once before. The
appointment is at 1:00 PM tomorrow. Your phone rings and it's the client asking you to pick her up
for the DSS interview.

Scenario Sixteen
You are interpreting for a DSS client in an Adult Protective Services case. You have interpreted many
similar cases and you do not think this worker is offering the client the same emotional support as
the other workers have done for their clients. You also think there are resources available that the
worker is not mentioning.

Scenario Seventeen
You finish interpreting an interview between a mother and the well-baby clinic nurse. You have left
the building and the mother comes up to you with the papers that the nurse gave to her with
instructions for her baby. She asks you to explain to her again what the nurse meant when she said
that the baby should have only soft foods for the next 48 hours.

Scenario Eighteen
The detention center in a neighboring county called you to interpret for Pablo Cruz who was in jail
on a burglary charge last month. He was just beginning to serve a six-month sentence. Today, in
your county, DHEC is asking you to interpret for a client at the Family Planning Clinic. You see that
she is accompanied by Mr. Cruz, who looks nervous about seeing you.

November 2001 Nancy Chastain / DSS