Translation Ethics
As professional translators, we answer questions often, and many times, the questions have no simple answers. In this forum, we will discuss common issues regarding ethics and translation. Translation students will answer the questions based on experience and professional research.
Week 5: April 2, 2020: Ethical Issues in Translation and Interpretation
Question 5 (Week 5): What are common ethical dilemmas that arise in translation and interpretation? Share details about a situation (without personal or private details) and describe how the issue was resolved. The goal with this post is to provide tools and options to help translators and interpreters in similar situations.
Common ethical dilemmas I believe are more common in interpretation than in translation. I believe it is more common in interpretation because most of the time the interpreter is there in person and this can cause an emotional connection with the people he is interpreting for and cause them to choose a side especially in court where the interpreter might have sympathy for the defendant. Another situation is when you are interpreting for a patient at a hospital or doctors office. There is a fine line when it comes to what you should do in certain situations. If you know the patient is lying about a question but in them lying there really would be no harm to the person than is it fine to say the lie. If you know that this person is lying and this would put the person in danger when it comes to a medical procedure for example then would the right thing to do be to tell the actual truth? There is a fine line and sometimes you have to tell the truth if it means saving a life. Answered by JV
One of the most prominent ethical dilemmas an interpreter can face is being accurate to what the speakers are saying, even when the dialogue is tense, uncomfortable, or offensive. No one wants to be the interpreter in the middle of an argument, but these situations arise and require a calm and steady disposition to reach a resolution. This issue arises frequently in medical interpreting, where situations are high anxiety, tense, and emotional. In philosophy, this principle is referred to charitable interpretation. This requires interpreting a speaker’s statements in the most rational way possible and, in the case of any argument, considering its best, strongest possible interpretation. A great example of this stems from a call center I used to work in. A deaf client was using a phone-translating service to call in and file a complaint about his application being delayed. He became very upset at one point and his interpreter did as well. She started beating her desk and screaming what he was signing to her. I was able to calm them both and regain control of the situation, but the call never should’ve escalated to that point. In my opinion, it was her job to relay what was being said in an accurate manner, even if that manner was frustration, but yelling, screaming, and hitting her desk was excessive. As interpreters, we have to be true to what is being said, but we can’t let the conversation sway us emotionally. Answered by AS
Interpreters and translators are faced with an abundance of ethical issues they must work through on a daily basis while professionally interpreting or translating in the field. There are a variety of scenarios in which professional interpreters and translators must maintain a high ethical standard in order to stay neutral and avoid intervening in a situation or perhaps muddling intended meanings. There are different ethical situations faced by interpreters and translators due to the nature of oral interpretation and translating written words. Both professions unite under the same ideology, that stays committed to ensuring their clients receive language services which maintain the utmost confidentiality with private information and remain true to intended meanings. It is the obligation of translators and interpreters to conduct business while abiding by established and universally agreed upon ethics. It must be expected from an interpreter or translator to remain educated and say only what it is been said to him. Even if they disagree with what they are interpreting/translating. RV
One issue that interpreters have to deal with is having to interpret everything either party says. When I was looking for scenarios where this happened, I found one where the interpreter was put in an uncomfortable situation. The real estate agency employed her, and during one of the meetings, two of the real estate brokers started making fun of the buyers. She did not interpret what the brokers had said; however, she informed them that she would interpret everything from that point on, so they stopped making fun of the buyers. Answered by EH
Translators and particularly interpreters can face ethical dilemmas when they are faced with a choice of translating or interpreting offensive or rude language. Another difficult situation can be when an interpreter is asked by an individual to not interpret some information. This information could be very important or even life-altering, and interpreters must decide to interpret this information or not. Interpreters can also face ethical dilemmas of personal involvement. In one situation an interpreter’s next door neighbor and good friend who does not speak English is in a major car accident and is being driven to the hospital. This is a small community, and the interpreter is the only one able to interpret in the area. Typically, it would be best to avoid personal involvement. However in this case, it is a life or death situation, and the interpreter should interpret to save their neighbor’s life. Once the immediate danger has passed another interpreter could be found. Answered by GW
Sometimes with ethics and issues that can happen with translation or interpretation, it is usually issued with personal details or how the person will be based on a one-sided argument. In most cases, sometimes it is up to the translator or interpreter if they want to translate personal slang or usually comments inappropriate can draw a line to what conversation is it, maybe in the courtroom or a Jail is when to bring an important document to sign. Still, someone makes a derogatory term about someone, and one has to either do the translation or ignore the comment. Sometimes when the patient is hiding important information from doctors or any medical professional, it usually would mean dangers to the person, and one always informs the conversation of what it is between the patient and the medical professional. We also have the matters of privacy of each person needing to translate, and one shouldn’t ask anything of the interpreter, or whatever someone may have said, would usually pertain that person alone unless they share it. There can be many dilemmas that can happen to translate for someone who needs to know fully what the situation is or to inform them of what will become. Answered by KH
I believe ethical dilemmas are normally more prevalent in interpreting then they are in translation. I think this is the case because interpretation in usually in person and the interpreter can favor one party if they are not careful. An interpreter can make a connection with one party and be inclined to favor that party. For example, when one party loses its cool and starts insulting, so the interpreter softens the message to favor that party. interpreters must be aware of these issues and train to prevent favoring one party and changing the message to favor one party. Sometimes when this happens there are no major consequences for the interpreter or the parties, but Interpreters have to be careful with these issues because they can bring unwanted problems and major consequences. An interpreter must be impartial and give the best interpretation of the message that they can. Answered by CP
In any job there are ethical dilemmas that at some point come up. In translation and interpretation I believe some of the most common ethical dilemmas that rise up are remaining partial, avoiding conflict of interest, interpret/translate accurately, and many more. I’ve witnessed a couple of situations where I’ve seen some of those dilemmas rise up, and sometimes they were not dealt with in the best way possible. An example I’ll share has to do with two coworkers at my job. For instance, where I work there are a couple people who work in kitchen that know basic English but not enough to explain a problem or have a conversation. Well, one time there was a problem between two coworkers and they had get the manager involved so he could fix the situation. It turns out the person who interpreted for them was one of the coworker’s family member who also worked there. Obviously, she was partial to one side and took up for her family member and at moments did not accurately interpret everything that was being said. That particular issue was resolved, and she is now not allowed to interpret for that person anymore. She still interprets for other people but not for that specific person. I think that was an excellent solution because now she can learn from her mistake and next time be impartial in situations, avoid conflict of interest, and interpret everything that is being said accurately despise how she feels about what it is being said. Answered by PP
Ethical dilemmas can be seen in both interpreting and translating depending on the person doing the job , and how they are able to separate personal and professional. Personally I would say interpreters are most likely to face ethical dilemmas than translators due to the fact that they see/hear their client. When you are interpreting you connect with your client it could be either good or bad, but you have to stay neutral in the situation, because the situation you are interpreting for is not about oneself but the client. Also, if the other party says something insulting about a client an interpreter would most likely find a way to interpret it in a ‘softer’ interpretation or omit it.
As for translation, I found online a situation where a translator had to decide whether he would or would not translate a pamphlet for a pro-life group because his beliefs where pro-choice. Depending on the person they would have their own response about the situation, but most professionals would say it is essential to separate your personal beliefs from your professional life. Answered by SM
Although this happens all the them children should not translate (or interpret) for their parents. Ethical dilemmas can occur in both interpreting and translating, but I believe it’s more common to have ethical issues when interpreting. It is important to always be accurate when interpreting, even if it means having to outsource. Businesses can suffer if they do not have a good interpreter because important information could not be received to those who need it. An example of this would be a summer camp asking the children to interpret for their parents. A staff member could say that the child has had behavior issues, but the child could relay back to the parents that everything is going fine. Or maybe the staff is asking Child A to interpret private information of Child B to their parents. As a solution to this, the camp decided to hire a bilingual staff member who would be in charge of interpreting when needed, that way there is no breach in families’ privacy. Answered by AMT
Ethical dilemmas can occur in both interpreting and translating, but I believe it’s more common to have ethical issues when interpreting. It is important to always be accurate when interpreting, even if it means having to outsource. Businesses can suffer if they do not have a good interpreter because important information could not be received to those who need it. An example of this would be a summer camp asking the children to interpret for their parents. A staff member could say that the child has had behavior issues, but the child could relay back to the parents that everything is going fine. Or maybe the staff is asking Child A to interpret private information of Child B to their parents. As a solution to this, the camp decided to hire a bilingual staff member who would be in charge of interpreting when needed, that way there is no breach in families’ privacy.
Ethical dilemmas can be seen in both interpreting and translating depending on the person doing the job , and how they are able to separate personal and professional.
Personally I would say interpreters are most likely to face ethical dilemmas than translators due to the fact that they see/hear their client. When you are interpreting you connect with your client it could be either good or bad, but you have to stay neutral in the situation, because the situation you are interpreting for is not about oneself but the client. Also, if the other party says something insulting about a client an interpreter would most likely find a way to interpret it in a ‘softer’ interpretation or omit it.
As for translation, I found online a situation where a translator had to decide whether he would or would not translate a pamphlet for a pro-life group because his beliefs where pro-choice. Depending on the person they would have their own response about the situation, but most professionals would say it is essential to separate your personal beliefs from your professional life.
In any job there are ethical dilemmas that at some point come up. In translation and interpretation I believe some of the most common ethical dilemmas that rise up are remaining partial, avoiding conflict of interest, interpret/translate accurately, and many more. I’ve witnessed a couple of situations where I’ve seen some of those dilemmas rise up, and sometimes they were not dealt with in the best way possible. An example I’ll share has to do with two coworkers at my job. For instance, where I work there are a couple people who work in kitchen that know basic English but not enough to explain a problem or have a conversation. Well, one time there was a problem between two coworkers and they had get the manager involved so he could fix the situation. It turns out the person who interpreted for them was one of the coworker’s family member who also worked there. Obviously, she was partial to one side and took up for her family member and at moments did not accurately interpret everything that was being said. That particular issue was resolved, and she is now not allowed to interpret for that person anymore. She still interprets for other people but not for that specific person. I think that was an excellent solution because now she can learn from her mistake and next time be impartial in situations, avoid conflict of interest, and interpret everything that is being said accurately despise how she feels about what it is being said.
Interpreters and translators are faced with an abundance of ethical issues they must work through on a daily basis while professionally interpreting or translating in the field. There are a variety of scenarios in which professional interpreters and translators must maintain a high ethical standard in order to stay neutral and avoid intervening in a situation or perhaps muddling intended meanings.There are different ethical situations faced by interpreters and translators due to the nature of oral interpretation and translating written words. Both professions unite under the same ideology, that stays committed to ensuring their clients receive language services which maintain the utmost confidentiality with private information and remain true to intended meanings. It is the obligation of translators and interpreters to conduct business while abiding by established and universally agreed upon ethics. It must be expected from an interpreter or translator to remain educated and say only what it is been said to him. Even if they disagree with what they are interprating/ translating.
I believe ethical dilemmas are normally more prevalent in interpreting then they are in translation. I think this is the case because interpretation in usually in person and the interpreter can favor one party if they are not careful. An interpreter can make a connection with one party and be inclined to favor that party. For example, when one party loses its cool and starts insulting, so the interpreter softens the message to favor that party. interpreters must be aware of these issues and train to prevent favoring one party and changing the message to favor one party. Sometimes when this happens there are no major consequences for the interpreter or the parties, but Interpreters have to be careful with these issues because they can bring unwanted problems and major consequences. An interpreter must be impartial and give the best interpretation of the message that they can.
Sometimes with ethics and issues that can happen with translation or interpretation, it is usually issued with personal details or how the person will be based on a one-sided argument. In most cases, sometimes it is up to the translator or interpreter if they want to translate personal slang or usually comments inappropriate can draw a line to what conversation is it, maybe in the courtroom or a Jail is when to bring an important document to sign. Still, someone makes a derogatory term about someone, and one has to either do the translation or ignore the comment. Sometimes when the patient is hiding important information from doctors or any medical professional, it usually would mean dangers to the person, and one always informs the conversation of what it is between the patient and the medical professional. We also have the matters of privacy of each person needing to translate, and one shouldn’t ask anything of the interpreter, or whatever someone may have said, would usually pertain that person alone unless they share it. There can be many dilemmas that can happen to translate for someone who needs to know fully what the situation is or to inform them of what will become.
Translators and particularly interpreters can face ethical dilemmas when they are faced with a choice of translating or interpreting offensive or rude language. Another difficult situation can be when an interpreter is asked by an individual to not interpret some information. This information could be very important or even life-altering, and interpreters must decide to interpret this information or not. Interpreters can also face ethical dilemmas of personal involvement. In one situation from “https://vocalinkglobal.com/ethics-in-interpreting/” an interpreter’s next door neighbor and good friend who does not speak English is in a major car accident and is being driven to the hospital. This is a small community, and the interpreter is the only one able to interpret in the area. Typically, it would be best to avoid personal involvement. However in this case, it is a life or death situation, and the interpreter should interpret to save their neighbor’s life. Once the immediate danger has passed another interpreter could be found.
One issue that interpreters have to deal with is having to interpret everything either party says. When I was looking for scenarios where this happened, I found one where the interpreter was put in an uncomfortable situation. The real estate agency employed her, and during one of the meetings, two of the real estate brokers started making fun of the buyers. She did not interpret what the brokers had said; however, she informed them that she would interpret everything from that point on, so they stopped making fun of the buyers.
One of the most prominent ethical dilemmas an interpreter can face is being accurate to what the speakers are saying, even when the dialogue is tense, uncomfortable, or offensive. No one wants to be the interpreter in the middle of an argument, but these situations arise and require a calm and steady disposition to reach a resolution. This issue arises frequently in medical interpreting, where situations are high anxiety, tense, and emotional. In philosophy, this principle is referred to charitable interpretation. This requires interpreting a speaker’s statements in the most rational way possible and, in the case of any argument, considering its best, strongest possible interpretation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_charity). A great example of this stems from a call center I used to work in. A deaf client was using a phone-translating service to call in and file a complaint about his application being delayed. He became very upset at one point and his interpreter did as well. She started beating her desk and screaming what he was signing to her. I was able to calm them both and regain control of the situation, but the call never should’ve escalated to that point. In my opinion, it was her job to relay what was being said in an accurate manner, even if that manner was frustration, but yelling, screaming, and hitting her desk was excessive. As interpreters, we have to be true to what is being said, but we can’t let the conversation sway us emotionally.
Common ethical dilemmas I believe are more common in interpretation than in translation. I believe it is more common in interpretation because most of the time the interpreter is there in person and this can cause an emotional connection with the people he is interpreting for and cause them to choose a side especially in court where the interpreter might have sympathy for the defendant. Another situation is when you are interpreting for a patient at a hospital or doctors office. There is a fine line when it comes to what you should do in certain situations. If you know the patient is lying about a question but in them lying there really would be no harm to the person than is it fine to say the lie. If you know that this person is lying and this would put the person in danger when it comes to a medical procedure for example then would the right thing to do be to tell the actual truth? There is a fine line and sometimes you have to tell the truth if it means saving a life.