Across Languages Translation & Interpretation Service
Standards of Practice for Interpreters
Revised, January 2003


Introduction

These standards of practice apply in encounters in which an interpreter is required to facilitate communication between two individuals who do not share a common language, one of whom is a service-provider or decision maker with respect to the other.  This type of interpretation service is known by different names including “community interpreting”, “dialogue interpreting” and “public service interpreting.” This last term predominates in the United Kingdom. A term Across Languages now considers outdated, “cultural interpreting”, is still also in use.

The standards are based upon seven principles:
  1. Accuracy and Completeness
  2. Confidentiality
  3. Impartiality
  4. Maintenance of Role Boundaries
  5. Accountability
  6. Continued Competence
  7. Professional Demeanour

These standards arise from the nature of the settings and situations for which Across Languages provides interpreters. Interpreted encounters typically occur in the fields of health care, legal, police and justice services, social and community services, and the school system. Often, these are one-to-one dialogues but may involve a team of service-providers and/or a family or group of recipients/applicants/patients/clients.

One party to the interpreted encounter is usually a provider with a care, counselling or advocacy role, or a person with decision-making authority with respect to the other party. The other party, virtually always a member of a linguistic minority, is in a position involving some degree of vulnerability. There is nearly always the potential for some adverse consequence if communication is not understood.

In the course of the encounter, the interpreter may be presented with written documents which require sight translation between languages. These are usually official documents such as forms, marriage licences, birth certificates, or other documents. It is understood that sight translating such documents is an expected part of the interpreter’s role. Provision of written translations is neither within the role nor the competence of the interpreter.
 

1)     Accuracy and Completeness

Objective:       Preservation of the meaning of the message.
  1. The interpreter renders all utterances and written communication faithfully using the same grammatical person as the speaker or writer. The rendition should sound natural in the target language and there should be no distortion of the original message through additions, omissions or explanation. The idiom, register, style and tone of the source language is preserved.
  2. The interpreter advises all parties that everything said in the encounter will be interpreted. If any party requests that the interpreter refrain from interpreting all utterances, the interpreter is obliged to inform all other parties of the request and seek direction.
  3. English words mixed into the other language are retained, as are culturally bound terms which have no direct equivalent in English, or which may have more than one meaning.
  4. If anything is unclear, the interpreter asks for repetition, rephrasing or explanation. Upon recognizing that communication has been misunderstood, the interpreter identifies the misunderstanding and requests direction from the parties involved.
  5. The interpreter uses appropriate methods to ensure that the meaning of gestures, body language, and tone of voice is not lost.
  6. The interpreter uses a mode of interpreting appropriate for the setting. In most interview situations, spoken-language interpreting is done in consecutive mode.
  7. Summarizing (i.e. some of the elements of the communication are not interpreted) is done only with the knowledge and consent of all parties.


2)     Confidentiality

Objective:       Protection of the privacy of all parties and the confidentiality of information.
  1. All parties in an interpreted encounter have a right to expect that the interpreter will hold information about them in confidence.
  2. The interpreter advises all parties that she or he will respect the confidentiality of the encounter.
  3. The interpreter does not disclose information that may identify the persons, purpose, or content of any interpreted encounter to anyone not bound by the commitment of confidentiality without the express permission of all parties or unless required by law. If disclosing the time and/or place of an encounter may identify the purpose, persons or content, the interpreter shall not disclose such information.
  4. Where collaborative work with other professionals is required, the interpreter may be briefed, or participate in, relevant discussions with other interpreters, members of the team involved with the other party, authorized representatives of the interpreting agency and/or the service-providing institution.  Anyone receiving information in order to provide interpretation service is ethically bound by the duty of confidentiality.
  5. The interpreter takes steps to ensure that confidentiality of the encounter is not breached and that private or personal information related to the parties is not improperly disclosed.


3)     Impartiality

Objective:       Full communication not impeded by any bias or preference of the interpreter. Avoidance of the perception that the interpreter has a preference or bias towards any party involved in the interpreted encounter.
  1. The interpreter remains impartial at all times and informs all parties of the duty to remain impartial.
  2. The interpreter declines to interpret when she or he has a personal or any vested interest in the outcome of the encounter.
  3. The interpreter declines to interpret when his or her personal or other relationship with any party may affect, or be perceived by any party to affect, impartiality.
  4. The interpreter declines to interpret when any situation, factor, or belief exists that represents a real or potential conflict of interest for the interpreter.
  5. The interpreter discloses to all parties in the encounter any personal or other relationship that may affect, or be perceived by any party to affect, the interpreter’s impartiality.
  6. The interpreter informs Across Languages when he or she has a personal or other vested interest in the outcome of the assignment or when any situation, factor, or belief exists that represents a real or potential conflict of interest.


4)     Maintenance of Role Boundaries

Objective:       Protection of professional integrity. Respect of parties to the interpreted encounter. Reduction of exposure to liability. Maintenance of emotional well-being and physical safety of interpreter.
  1. The interpreter’s role is to enable communication between parties, who speak on their own behalf and make their own decisions.
  2. The interpreter does not advocate on behalf of any party.
  3. The interpreter does not enter into the discussion, give advice or express personal opinions about the matter of the encounter, or show reactions to any of the parties.
  4. The interpreter does not filter communication, mediate, or speak on behalf of any party.
  5. The interpreter avoids unnecessary contact with the parties. Prior to the encounter, the interpreter may initiate contact to ensure understanding of the language, to confirm details of an appointment, and to convey any information about the encounter needed by the non-English speaker.
  6. The interpreter does not perform services other than interpretation services for any party.
  7. The interpreter demonstrates respect for all parties.
  8. The interpreter utilizes the least obtrusive mode of interpretation.
  9. The interpreter protects her or his own privacy, well-being and safety.


5)     Accountability

Objective:       Responsibility for the quality of the interpreter’s work. Accountability for maintaining role boundaries and standards. Adherence to laws and standards.
  1. The interpreter identifies and corrects interpretation errors as soon as possible.
  2. The interpreter declines assignments that require knowledge or skills beyond his or her competence.
  3. In the course of an encounter, if it becomes apparent to the interpreter that expertise beyond her or his competence is required, the interpreter informs the parties immediately and requests direction.
  4. The interpreter maintains his or her role, limits and obligations and takes steps to ascertain that all parties understand them.
  5. The interpreter conducts her or himself in compliance with legislative requirements and generally accepted standards of the profession.
  6. The interpreter brings to the attention of an appropriate person any circumstance or condition that impedes full compliance with any standard in this document, including but not limited to conflict of interest, interpreter fatigue, inability to hear or inadequate knowledge of specialized terminology, and declines to continue any assignment under conditions that make such compliance patently impossible.


6)     Professional Demeanour

Objective:       Maintenance of professional conduct and comportment.
  1. The interpreter behaves in a manner consistent with the highest professional standards and the protocols and procedures of Across Languages.
  2. The interpreter performs her or his duties as unobtrusively as possible.
  3. The interpreter completes the assignments she or he has accepted.
  4. The interpreter arrives punctually at the appointed location of the encounter.
  5. The interpreter remains at the appointed location until the encounter ends or until dismissed.
  6. The interpreter dresses in appropriate business attire for face-to-face encounters.
  7. The interpreter does not conduct personal or other business while on an interpreting assignment.
  8. The interpreter does not bring any other parties to the assignment.


7)     Continuing Competence & Professional Development

Objective:       Achievement of the highest level of competence. Demonstration of certifications, accreditations, training and experience. Maintenance and improvement of skills.
  1. The interpreter takes available courses and examinations to obtain accreditation and/or certification.
  2. The interpreter maintains and expands skills and knowledge through self-teaching, formal and informal continuing education.
  3. The interpreter seeks evaluative feedback and practices self-evaluation concerning performance.
  4. The interpreter is prepared to demonstrate her or his certifications, accreditations, training and pertinent experience.
  5. The interpreter maintains membership in appropriate professional associations of interpreters and complies with the code of ethics of such associations.
References

Australian Sign Language Interpreters' Association (ASLIA) Code of Ethics

Health Care Interpreter Partnership. Standards for Health Care Interpreting. For Information contact, Bev Brawley, Project Coordinator, Mt. Saint Joseph Hospital, Vancouver B.C.

Cross Cultural Health Care Program. Bridging the Gap: A Basic Training for Medical Interpreters (Seattle, Washington: Pacific Medical Clinics). 1996

National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators. Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities  http://www.najit.org/ethics.html

The Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators Inc (AUSIT) Code of Ethics  http://www.ausit.org/ethics

College of Nurses of Ontario. Professional Standards for Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario. 1996

Institute of Linguists. Code of Conduct of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. United Kingdom. 1995

International Federation of Translators. The Translator’s Charter. rev.1996

Isabelle Hemlin, Anne-Marie Mesa. Code of Ethics of Cultural Interpreters. Service aux communautés linguistiques et ethnoculturelles Montreal. 1996

Nathan Garber. Across Languages Interpreter Code of Ethics. Across Languages Translation & Interpretation Service. London, Ontario 2000.

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Ethics of Interpreting and Translation - A Guide to Professional Conduct in Australia.  (NAATI)

Diana Abraham et al. Training Curriculum for Cultural Interpreters Associated with the Services Funded by the Violence Against Women Prevention Initiatives. Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture, and Recreation. Toronto, 1999.