Code of Ethics
As professionals providing a valuable service, interpreters strive to define
and maintain an acceptable level of ethical practice. At Certified Interpreting
we highly value these ethics and seek to promote high standards of practice,
support a benchmark for self-evaluation, and advocate for such a framework
of professional behavior and responsibilities.
A Code of Ethics provides for such "ground rules" which help make
our professional relationships mutually pleasant and productive.
There are two relevant organizations which have promulgated a code of ethics
for interpreters in our field. These two organizations are the National
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and the National Association
of the Deaf (NAD).
Their Code of Ethics is as follows:
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. has set forth the following
principles of ethical behavior to protect and guide interpreters and transliterators
and hearing and deaf consumers. Underlying these principles is the desire
to insure for all the right to communicate.
This Code of Ethics applies to all members of the Registry of Interpreters
for the Deaf, Inc. and to all certified non-members.
- Interpreters/transliterators shall keep all assignment-related information
strictly confidential.
- Interpreters/transliterators shall render the message faithfully, always
conveying the content and spirit of the speaker using language most readily
understood by the person(s) whom they serve.
- Interpreters/transliterators shall not counsel, advise or interject
personal opinions.
- Interpreters/transliterators shall accept assignments using discretion
with regard to skill, setting, and the consumers involved.
- Interpreters/transliterators shall request compensation for services
in a professional and judicious manner.
- Interpreters/transliterators shall function in a manner appropriate
to the situation.
- Interpreters/transliterators shall strive to further knowledge and skills
through participation in work-shops, professional meetings, interaction
with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the
field.
- Interpreters/transliterators, by virtue of membership or certification
by the RID, Inc., shall strive to maintain high professional standards
in compliance with the Code of Ethics.
Copyright Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
You can view these ethics at the RID Code of Ethics web page at http://www.rid.org/coe.html
.
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- All information in any interpreting assignment is to be kept in strictest
confidence.
- Interpreting services shall always be competent, impartial and professional.
- Messages shall be rendered faithfully, always conveying the content
and spirit of the communicator, and professional judgment should be exercised
in assessing whether communication is being understood.
- In accepting assignments, discretion based on skill, setting, and the
consumers involved must be used.
- Counseling or interjecting personal opinion is never permitted.
- Information on the role and appropriate use of interpreting services
shall be provided to the consumers when necessary.
- Information on available resources as appropriate should be provided.
- Compensation for services should be pursued in a professional manner.
- Respect of and for the deaf person's rights must always be evident.
- Only the highest professional standards, as promulgated by the NAD,
shall be pursued.
You can view these ethics at the NAD Interpreter Code of Ethics web page
at http://www.nad.org/openhouse/programs/NIC/NICInterpCodeEthics.html
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