Interpreters are specifically trained professionals who have knowledge and skills in two languages and employ them to make communication possible among parties using different languages.

The skills of an interpreter include cultural competency and respect for everyone involved, as well as mastery of educational and colloquial terminology, which make possible the mutual trust and accurate communication that lead to the effective provision of services.

The following outlines the duties and responsibilities of interpreters.

Confidentiality

• Interpreters must treat all information learned during the interpretation as confidential, divulging nothing without the full approval of the client/patient and service provider.
• Interpreters maintain the professional parameters of information sharing, in keeping with policies and procedures of the school/facility.
• Interpreters know how to respond to questions dealing with confidential matters that may be brought up in the community or educational setting.
• Interpreters understand the exceptions to the protection of confidentiality, as well as the implications and consequences. That is, in cases where the interpreter becomes privy to information regarding suicidal/homicidal intent, child or elder abuse, or domestic violence, the interpreter acts on the obligation to transmit such information in keeping with school policies, interpreter standards of practice, and the law. If any question regarding this obligation arises, the interpreter will call one of Culture Connect, Inc.’s directors.

Accuracy & Completeness

• Interpreters are committed to accurately and completely transmit the content and spirit of the original message into the other language without omitting, modifying, condensing, or adding.
• Interpreters will make every effort to assure that the client/patient has understood questions, instructions, and other information transmitted by the teacher/provider.
• If the content to be interpreted might be perceived as offensive, insensitive, or otherwise harmful to the dignity and well-being of the client/patient, the interpreter should advise the provider of this before interpreting.

Impartiality

• Interpreters are aware of and able to identify personal biases and beliefs that may interfere with their ability to be impartial.
• Interpreters refrain or withdraw from accepting any assignment where close personal or professional beliefs may affect impartiality (including conflicts of interest) unless an emergency renders the service necessary.
• Interpreters focus on the communication between the provider and client/patient and refrain from interjecting personal issues, beliefs, opinions, and biases into the interview. Interpreters are motivated by a commitment to impartiality and remember that they are not carrying on an independent conversation, but rather expressing the comments of others.
• Clients/patients may ask the interpreter for an opinion on a matter discussed during the interpretation session. When this happens, the interpreter may provide or restate information that will assist the client/patient in making his or her own decision. The interpreter will not influence the opinion of any client/patient by telling him/her what action to take.

Client/Patient Privacy

• Interpreters respect the client/patient’s physical privacy and maintain spatial/visual privacy of the client/patient, as necessary.
• Interpreters refrain from asking personal or probing questions outside the scope of interpreting tasks.
• Interpreters refrain from getting personally involved in the lives of clients/patients.

Professionalism

• Interpreters will be punctual, prepared, and dressed in an appropriate manner, and will as well be respectful and courteous. They will maintain professional behavior at all times both while assisting clients/patients and in their business dealings.
• Interpreters do not use their role as interpreter to influence their social relationship with the client/patient outside the interpreting encounter.
• Interpreters show care and concern for client/patient needs by facilitating the use of appropriate resources.
• Interpreters refrain from getting involved, thereby fully supporting the provider client/patient relationship.
• Interpreters do not create expectations in either party that the interpreter cannot fill in her/his role.
• Interpreters will seek to further their knowledge and skills, both in preparation for specific assignments and through continuing studies and training.
• Interpreters know the limits of their competencies and refrain from interpreting beyond their training, level of experience, and skills, unless their limitations are fully understood by the client/patient and provider and no other source of interpreting is available.

Compensation

• The fee agreed upon by Culture Connect, Inc. and the interpreter is the only compensation that the interpreter may accept. Interpreters may not accept additional money, considerations, or favors for services. Interpreters will not use Culture Connect, Inc.’s time, facilities, equipment, or supplies for private gain, nor will they use their positions to secure privileges or exemptions.
• In the case of salaried staff, staff may not accept additional money, considerations, or favors for services.

Ethical Violations

• Interpreters will withdraw immediately from encounters they believe to be in violation of the Code of Ethics.

This Code of Ethics was derived from the following sources: Interpreter Code of Ethics, Boston Area Health Education Center, A Code of Ethics for Medical Interpreters, The Cross Cultural Health Care Program, Code of Professional Conduct for Medical Interpreters, Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association &Medical Interpreter Code of Ethics, Georgia Mutual Assistance Association Consortium. Culture Connect, Inc. – 6/06