Interpreting and Translating Code of Ethics

The country's leading interpreting and translating association is the Australian Institute of Interpreters & Translators (AUSIT). Representatives of the organization commit to a highly detailed Code of Ethics and strive professional development. This allows the members of the community the opportunity to choose among several options of competent and experienced interpreters as well as translators. The most significant publication of AUSIT is the Code of Ethics. Mainly in Australia and New Zealand, this is acknowledged as establishing the norms for the ethical behaviour of interpreters and translators. The Code of Ethics sets out the fundamental principles that determine how the profession should be conducted.

Since the Codes of Ethics for interpreters and its field in each institution differs, the following are the code of ethics in AUSIT. There are 9 general rules that guide how interpreters and translators perform:  

1. Professional Conduct

Interpreters should always behave in a way that is consistent with the standards set by the institution, as stated by the National Expert Association of interpreters and translators, AUSIT. They are committed to providing exceptional service within a polite and culturally aware manner, treating all clients and co-workers equally, and acting truthfully in every business interactions. They look at general professional ethics like attentiveness and being considerate about the needs of other people at work.

2. Confidentiality

As someone who works with people working in professional fields, interpreters should not reveal any information obtained from their work. Because interpreters are in a position of trust and work with personal data, they are under the same strict confidentiality commitment as those who work with them in a professional business setting.

3. Competence

This field of work requires to be professionally qualified through training and credentials. Interpreters only tackle on the languages they are competent to perform in. To perform some kinds of work, interpreters require a certain level of skill. It is reasonable to assume that anyone dealing with interpreters is doing so through licensed practitioners. Qualified practitioners maintain the reliability of their accreditation. Practitioners have a responsibility to develop and maintain their skills through their own professional development or ask employers, agencies, or institutions to do so in cases where formal training or accreditation is not available (such as less frequently used language made up and new and developing languages).

4. Impartiality

An interpreter must remain unbiased or one-sided during the exchange of conversation between the parties throughout the interpreted encounter. Interpreters examine impartiality in all professional aspects. The ability to communicate effectively when two persons are unable to understand the same language is greatly assisted by interpreters and translators. They want to be certain that the message gets delivered in every aspect. Interpreters and translators are only responsible for transmitting the message completely and accurately; they are not responsible for what the parties convey. They cannot modify the information that is being conveyed in any way or allow biases to have an impact on how they work.

5. Accuracy

Interpreters stay true to the meaning of the message as long as they can use their professional judgment. Delivering messages accurately means doing so in the target language while maintaining its message and its purpose without exaggerating nor distorting them.

6. Clarity of Role Boundaries

The responsibilities that interpreters and translators play as messengers of messages and the roles that other people might participate in their work are clearly separated. The main aim of interpreters and translators is to facilitate the transfer of information. While performing their duties of interpreting or translating, practitioners do not offer campaigning, guidance, or advice. Even when other jobs are obliged by certain work arrangements, practitioners suggest that a clear distinction be made between interpreting and translating alongside other responsibilities. 

As a result, interpreters and translators are going to clarify their role in line with this Code's guidelines when the circumstance calls for it. To be able to communicate effectively with the client they work with, interpreters and translators must be aware of these situations. Practitioners who work through institutions see the institution entrusting them with the task as one of their clients as well, and when interacting with them, they stick to exact professional standards as when working with their own clients. Additionally, institutions need to have unbiased, sensible policies that respect and promote the competence of interpreters and translators. 

7. Maintaining Professional Relationships

As staff members, contracted workers, or freelancers of interpreting as well as translation companies, interpreters and translators are accountable for the standard of their work. Staff members always strive to ensure that they have the proper tools, support, directives, and standards of conduct needed in certain workplaces to accomplish their jobs in a fulfilling manner. They encourage their Co-workers to seek out more about the job of interpreting or translator while maintaining polite working relationships.

There are many different institutional requirements, professional and corporate contexts, and working conditions for interpreters and translators. While certain environments call for high standards and completely independent interpreters or translators, others emphasize teamwork and shared responsibility.

8. Professional Development

Interpreters and translators are constantly expanding their skills and professional knowledge. They transfer skills, continue to improve their language abilities and understand the context as well as culture. In order for them to keep offering high-quality services, they stay informed on technological advancements that are relevant to their profession. The absence of standard education and certification may mean that practitioners who work with languages must maintain and update their standards independently.

9. Professional Solidarity

The reputation and legitimacy of the interpreter and translator professions are maintained by the respect and support given to their co-workers in the field. Practitioners are more dedicated to their work than their own passions. They assist one another and encourage the desires of their field as well as their co-workers. 

The AUSIT Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics were revised in 2012 to reflect the enormous growth and expansion of the industry in Australia as well as the increased global awareness of ethical concerns in interpreting and translation. As they gain greater exposure via mainstream media, global affairs, and local political disputes and are subject to more examination of their standards, the position of interpreters and translators becomes even more significant internationally.