CI Ethics and Professional Conduct — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary ethical duty of a certified interpreter?
- Provide counseling to clients
- Paraphrase to simplify meaning
- Ensure accurate and complete interpretation (Correct answer)
- Modify language for easier understanding
Correct answer: Ensure accurate and complete interpretation
Maintaining accuracy ensures the integrity of the interpreted message and protects the rights of all parties involved.
Question 2: When should an interpreter breach confidentiality?
- To clarify facts for a friend
- When legally mandated (Correct answer)
- To improve the client’s case
- If the interpreter disagrees with the client
Correct answer: When legally mandated
Confidentiality must be maintained unless there is a legal requirement to disclose, such as when someone's safety is at risk.
Question 3: What should an interpreter do if they have a personal connection to the case?
- Continue without disclosing
- Use the connection to gain trust
- Disclose the conflict and withdraw if needed (Correct answer)
- Ignore the conflict for professionalism
Correct answer: Disclose the conflict and withdraw if needed
To avoid conflicts of interest and maintain impartiality, interpreters must disclose any personal connection and recuse themselves if necessary.
Question 4: Why is impartiality crucial in interpreting?
- To provide legal advice
- To advocate for the client
- To remain neutral and unbiased (Correct answer)
- To form relationships with clients
Correct answer: To remain neutral and unbiased
Impartiality ensures the interpreter does not influence the outcome or content of the communication process.
Question 5: Which of the following is a violation of professional conduct?
- Wearing business attire
- Taking brief notes
- Accepting gifts from a client (Correct answer)
- Clarifying a term with the client
Correct answer: Accepting gifts from a client
Accepting gifts from clients can compromise professional boundaries and create perceptions of favoritism or bias.
Question 6: What should interpreters do when they encounter unfamiliar terminology?
- Guess the meaning from context
- Skip the term
- Request clarification or explanation (Correct answer)
- Replace it with a similar word
Correct answer: Request clarification or explanation
Professional interpreters should request clarification to ensure they maintain accuracy and transparency in their interpretation.
CI Ethics and Professional Conduct
What is the primary ethical duty of a certified interpreter?