Professional ethics refer to the deeply held beliefs and principles that govern a person’s behavior and actions within a professional setting. Interpreters also practice professional ethics to build trust with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. These ethics are considered vital for the success of individuals, businesses, and societies as a whole. But sometimes, in our intricated lives, we face situations that are beyond simple. These situations challenge us to make decisions that test our morals. And the final decision we make in such situations impacts everything around us. All sorts of interpreters face these ethical dilemmas at least once in their lives.
Interpreters are professionals who bridge language gaps and connect people with different perspectives and experiences around the globe. While performing their role, interpreters encounter various ethical challenges that compel them to make certain decisions. Professional interpreters ensure that they do not hurt the sentiments of the target audience while delivering the source message.
In this blog, we will try to understand the concept of ethical interpretation and the situations that create ethical dilemmas for interpreters. We will also navigate how interpreters deal with complex situations that involve language and morality and which principles they follow while making the decision.
The Perspective of Ethical Interpretation
Interpretation involves more than the mere rendering of spoken words from one language to another. It is the process in which interpreters understand words and meditate or negotiate them between the source and the target audience. Interpreters not only understand the linguistic elements of the speech but also understand the context, cultural background, and ethical perspective associated with that speech. During each session, interpreters are supposed to communicate words while considering the ethics and dignity of all parties involved.
For instance, while working in healthcare settings, medical interpreters maintain the balance between their ethical obligation of keeping sensitive information private and protecting the patient’s autonomy. Only professional interpreters can perform this role efficiently because it requires linguistic proficiency and awareness of ethical principles like beneficence and non-maleficence, etc.
The Contextual Intricacies
Interpreters work in diverse contexts; each of which presents its challenges. However, it is assumed that context can potentially impact interpreters' behavior when he/she works in sensitive situations like legal meetings, diplomatic meetings, medical conferences, etc. In legal settings, interpreters might have to communicate the intentions and statements of victims, defendants, or witnesses, while being just, fair, and impartial towards them. Furthermore, in diplomatic meetings, interpreters are supposed to communicate the ideas of all parties involved even in stressful political situations and during power struggles.
From an ethical perspective, interpreters should stay firm in their moral conduct regardless of the context they are working. They must be aware of the relevant ethical standards and must be courageous to deal with inherent ethical dilemmas.
Understanding Power Dynamics While Interpreting Situations
Another challenging aspect of working as an interpreter is the navigation of power dynamics. Mostly during intercultural communication, interpreters have to deal with people who share unequal power relations e.g. owners and servants, doctors and patients, government officials and workers, etc. In such situations, interpreters face the ethical dilemma of being accurate and impartial in their tasks while also advocating for the marginalized ones.
For instance, in a legal dispute between an employee and the employer, the interpreter might feel pressure to align with the employer’s views. But his/her ethical obligation here would be to remain fair and impartial during the communication, ensuring both parties express their views and perspectives equally. Only professional interpreters can make the right decisions in such stressful situations.
Application of Ethical Principles in Interpretation
All these situations give rise to questions like how interpreters decide which side to choose in their ethical dilemmas, and how they analyze if it is the best practice for interpretation. The answer lies in the ethical framework, that forms the base of their moral principles like integrity, respect, and social justice. This framework helps interpreters remain fair and impartial in their practices. However, interpreters can practice this ethical framework if they follow certain guidelines.
Most importantly interpreters should focus on accurately communicating the message being conveyed with the true intentions of the speaker. Interpreters would require linguistic proficiency and cognitive skills to perform this task effectively.
Furthermore, interpreters should keep sensitive information confidential at all costs and should not disclose the information to any third party. Only interpreters with a strong ethical mindset can perform this task accurately.
Moreover, interpreters should not express their personal opinions during the interpretation sessions. It will help them stay fair and impartial in their role. Only professional interpreters who can face pressure from external parties can perform this task efficiently.
Final Thought!
Human interactions are complex and intricate. Interpreters during complex human interactions serve as guardians of communication who serve the parties involved and make sure they present their ideas and views accurately in any setting regardless of their cultural or linguistic background.
As interpreters understand the complex nature of ethical interpretation, they must remain loyal to their commitment to ethical conduct. While performing the role, interpreters work in various contexts and with people of different linguistic and power backgrounds. Be it any situation, interpreters should uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism while performing their role as facilitators of communication in an increasingly interconnected world.
At AGATO, we have a team of qualified professional interpreters who strictly follow ethical standards while performing their roles in multiple settings. Connect with us today to significantly enhance your experience and perception of interpretation services.