CCL CCL Interpreting Ethics and Standards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the principle of 'impartiality' in the CCL code of ethics for community language interpreters?
- The interpreter refrains from taking sides and conveys all messages faithfully regardless of personal views (Correct answer)
- The interpreter advocates for the community member when they believe the service provider is being unfair
- The interpreter may correct factually incorrect statements made by either party
- The interpreter expresses their personal opinion when asked directly by a service provider
Correct answer: The interpreter refrains from taking sides and conveys all messages faithfully regardless of personal views
Impartiality requires the interpreter to serve both parties equally without allowing personal views, values, or loyalties to influence the interpretation.
Question 2: What does 'confidentiality' require of a CCL certified interpreter?
- Not disclosing any information learned during an interpreting assignment to unauthorized parties (Correct answer)
- Sharing relevant community member information with other service providers in the same organization
- Keeping only medical information confidential while sharing legal information freely
- Maintaining confidentiality only when the community member explicitly requests it
Correct answer: Not disclosing any information learned during an interpreting assignment to unauthorized parties
Confidentiality obligates interpreters to protect all information from interpreted sessions and not share it without proper authorization.
Question 3: What should a CCL interpreter do if they have a personal conflict of interest with a community member they are asked to interpret for?
- Disclose the conflict of interest and withdraw from the assignment (Correct answer)
- Proceed with the interpretation while being extra careful to remain impartial
- Inform the service provider but not the community member
- Complete the assignment and disclose the conflict afterward
Correct answer: Disclose the conflict of interest and withdraw from the assignment
Conflicts of interest must be disclosed before the assignment begins so that an alternative interpreter can be arranged if necessary.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the CCL principle of 'accuracy' in interpretation?
- Conveying the complete message without additions, omissions, or distortions (Correct answer)
- Correcting factual errors made by the speaker before interpreting the message
- Summarizing long statements to include only the most important points
- Adding culturally relevant context to every statement to improve comprehension
Correct answer: Conveying the complete message without additions, omissions, or distortions
Accuracy requires that interpreters render all information completely and faithfully, without filtering, expanding, or distorting the message.
Question 5: A community member tells the CCL interpreter something confidential that they do not want the service provider to know. What is the correct response?
- Explain to the community member that everything said during the session must be interpreted (Correct answer)
- Agree to keep the information secret and do not interpret it
- Interpret only part of the statement and omit the confidential portion
- Stop the session and consult a supervisor before proceeding
Correct answer: Explain to the community member that everything said during the session must be interpreted
Interpreters must interpret all communication in the session; they cannot selectively omit information on a client's request.
Question 6: What is the ethical obligation of a CCL interpreter who realizes they do not understand a term or phrase in the source language?
- Stop and ask for clarification before proceeding with the interpretation (Correct answer)
- Provide a best-guess interpretation and move on without interrupting the flow
- Omit the unfamiliar term and interpret the rest of the sentence
- Use a related word in the hope that it will be close enough in meaning
Correct answer: Stop and ask for clarification before proceeding with the interpretation
Interpreters must not guess at meanings — they are ethically obligated to seek clarification to ensure accuracy.
CCL CCL Interpreting Ethics and Standards 1
What is the principle of 'impartiality' in the CCL code of ethics for community language interpreters?