Transcript Interpreters Training - Migration Policy Institute

Interpreters Training
Ethics
Ethics
refers to well based standards of right
and wrong that prescribe what
humans ought to do, usually in terms
of
Rights
Obligations
Benefits to society
Fairness
Or specific virtues
Ethics for example
Refers to those standards that impose
the reasonable obligations to refrain
from
Stealing
Murder
Assault
Fraud etc..
Finally Ethical standards include
standards
Relating to rights such as:
The right to life
The right to freedom from injury and
The right to privacy
Resolving Ethical issues
Requires an appeal to values and
Ethical Problem Solving
Culture and Ethics
Cultures differ widely in their moral
practices.
This fact affects our own moral issues
against others
Ethics Requires:
Consistency in the sense that our
moral standards, actions, and values
should not be contradictory
Examining our lives to uncover
inconsistencies and then modifying
our moral standards and behaviors so
that they are consistent is an
important part of moral development
Values and Interpreters
Interpreters work with a variety of
people with a variety of
circumstances; so it is not unusual for
consumers to hold values that are
different than ours
Professional Interpreters however:
Are capable of recognizing this
difference
Value Systems
Foresight
Knowledge
Resolution Strategies
All minimize stressful impact of value
conflicts
Value Systems
Interpreters must be aware of
conflicts between their own value
systems and the institutions in which
they work
Interpreters must know themselves
well
Change in Value System
Is hard:
Causes tension and feelings
Attachment to old values
Other values as threatening
Confidentiality
Interpreter treats all information
confidential
This means NOTHING is to be
divulged without the full approval of
the client and service provider
Exception:
Where the law requires disclosure
Accuracy
Conveying the Spirit of what is said
Must transmit message in a faithful manner
Considers linguistic variations in both
languages
Conveys tone and spirit of original message
Completeness
Conveying everything that is said
Interpreters MUST interpret
everything that is said
Do Not Add
Remove Anything
No matter how uncomfortable
Impartiality
Interpreters shall be impartial and
unbiased
An interpreter shall not accept an
assignment and shall withdraw from a
situation where his/her strongly held
personal values and beliefs may
interfere with impartiality
Conflict of Interest
Interpreters MUST disclose any
existing or potential, whether real or
perceived conflict of interest that
would affect their objectivity in
delivery of their service
Conveying Cultural Frameworks
Interpreters shall explain cultural
differences or practices to service
providers and client when appropriate
Client Self-Determination
The interpreter may be asked by the
client for his/her opinion
When this happens
Restate the role of the interpreter to
clarify that no personal opinion may
be given
Professional Distance
Interpreter should always maintain
necessary professional distance
Why?
An interpreter is a Neutral Third Party
Attitude Toward Clients
Interpreters should strive to:
Develop relationship of trust an
respect
Compensation
Interpreters shall not accept any
compensation other than the fee
agreed upon by the agency
Even if the Interpreter is a volunteer
Professional Integrity
Interpreter should represent their
qualifications, training and experience
accurately and completely
Interpreters shall only accept
assignments for which they are
qualified for
Respect for Privacy
Interpreter shall refrain from:
Contact with either the provider or
client
From asking personal questions
Professionalism
Punctual
Prepared
Dress appropriately
Professional behavior
Professional Development
Interpreter shall be committed to
maintaining and enhancing
professional skills by pursuing
additional education in his/her
languages
Questions
Discussion Questions
You are called to interpret for a mother
who’s newborn is at the hospital. The
hospital staff called CPS because they felt
mother was not bonding with child because
she would not look at the physician or
nurses when they were talking to her about
the baby’s condition. After interpreting you
experienced the same behavior, however,
you knew this behavior was expected
based on the mother’s ethnic values.
Discussion Questions
You have interpreted several times for
this client over a period of months. On the
client’s final visit, he says that he would like
to give you a token of his appreciation, and
he hands you a $100 bill. You are aware
that in the client’s culture, refusing a gift is
very offensive. When you suggest that he
make a donation to an agency or center,
he insists that he wants you to keep the
gift.
Discussion Questions
When taking the client’s history, the
case worker asks him if he has ever
had any psychological problems. The
client says no, but you happen to
know that he has been seeing a
psychiatrist, because you have
interpreted for him there as well.
Discussion Questions
You are a caseworker at a county DJFS,
and you are asked to serve as an Adhoc
interpreter at an intake interview. When you
entered the room you find out you know the
customer, she was your neighbor. You did
not acknowledge this, but during the
interview she was asked if she had anyone
living with her, and she said no. You knew
her boyfriend lived with her and helped her
out.
Discussion Questions
You are called to interpret in an
eligibility determination for F/S, MAC
for the customer’s children. Customer
has brought the required documents.
Customer is asked for immigration
status and SS#. Customer says she
does not have one. C/W ends the
interview and determines the
household as not eligible.
Discussion Questions
Your are called in to interpret for a
caseworkers who knows a little bit of the
customer’s language, but it is clear that she
is not fluent enough to communicate well.
She tells you that you can go back to your
office, because she and the customer are
communicating just fine. You don’t want to
hurt the caseworker’s feelings, but you
know the customer can’t understand her
fractured questions and she can’t fully
understand his answers
Discussion Questions
The case manager in the CPS case
asks a routine question about alcohol
consumption in the household. You
know that this customer’s religion
forbids the consumption of alcohol
and would be offended by the very
question.
Discussion Questions
A child is brought into the emergency room
with a broken arm, and his parents report
that he fell down the stairs. The physician
on duty notices that child has bruises
elsewhere on his body, and confides to you
that he suspects the parents of abusing the
child. You happen to know that in the
parent’s culture, certain folk practices result
in superficial bruising, but are not harmful.
However, you also have a suspicion that
the parents may be abusing the child.
Discussion Questions
You are interpreting for a customer who
wants her son to be present for the redetermination. You know that family ties
are important in the customer’s culture, and
the patient is obviously more at ease
having her son there. The son is not happy
with your interpretation however, and
insists on interpreting for his mother, which
the caseworker allows. You realize that the
son is distorting what the mother says and
is not telling her everything the caseworker
says.
Discussion Questions
Customer comes into an DJFS
requesting FS for herself and her
children. The interpreter finds out she
also needs medical services when the
customer tells her she is HIV positive.
Does the Interpreter divulges the
information for the benefit of a
medical provider or anyone who may
help customer?
The End!