Continuing with the “What Would You Do?” series, we now will dive into yet another hypothetical interpreting scenario, including an ethical dilemma to ponder, and apply the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC).

In the prior blogs within this series, we discuss that people are often faced with ethical dilemmas in their personal lives—some big, some small—that we must negotiate through and/or around. For these daily dilemmas, we have our beliefs and values to guide us, cultivated as we have grown throughout the years.

Ethical dilemmas also arise periodically in the workplace; as this is the case, many fields have additional tools to assist in the decision-making process. Numerous professions have codes of professional conduct to assist in guiding its members toward the best possible ethical decisions; the field of interpreting has the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). for this purpose.

For this series, we will look at a hypothetical interpreting scenario, and then investigate which Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors of the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). may help us decide the best possible course of action. Exploring these scenarios, and applying the CPC, can help us prepare for situations that may arise in our daily work.

Remember, there are no wrong answers!

Now let’s examine Scenario #6 and apply the Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors of the NAD-RID CPC:

Scenario #6

You have just arrived to interpret between law enforcement and a family, onsite at the family’s residence. The family consists of two hearing parents and one deaf 13-year-old child. The child has been accused of an assault on another teenager who lives across the street.

Upon your arrival, the two officers are standing with the family on the lawn of the residence, and one of the officers is conversing with the parents, while the accused is apparently attempting to follow the spoken conversation. Another parent and teenager are standing across the street on their lawn; the teenage boy is holding a towel to his bloody nose.

You approach the family and officers, and introduce yourself in English and ASL, simultaneously. You then give a quick synopsis of your role and responsibilities as the interpreter, and then share that you are ready to begin interpreting.

One of the officers then looks back to the parents, and states, “As I was saying, the boy across the street….”, but then cuts off their sentence upon noticing that you are signing. The officer then says to you (while you continue signing), “I am talking to the parents. Do not sign this to the child. I’ll let you know when I am ready to talk to him.”

Ethical dilemma

The deaf 13-year-old accused child is standing on the lawn in close proximity to the conversation occurring between law enforcement and his parents, and is actively engaged in following the conversation. The law enforcement officer has instructed you to not interpret the conversation with the parents, despite the child being present and engaged.

Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors that may apply NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC).

Let’s now look at the CPC to see which Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors may help us decide how to proceed if faced with a similar situation:

• 2.0 Professionalism

Tenet: Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.

Illustrative Behavior:

• • 2.3 – Render the message faithfully by conveying the content and spirit of what is being communicated, using language most readily understood by consumers, and correcting errors discreetly and expeditiously.

• 3.0 Conduct

Tenet: Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.

Illustrative Behaviors:

• • 3.3 – Avoid performing dual or conflicting roles in interdisciplinary (e.g. educational or mental health) or other settings.
  • 3.4 – Comply with established workplace codes of conduct, notify appropriate personnel if there is a conflict with this Code of Professional Conduct, and actively seek resolution where warranted.

• 4.0 Respect for Consumers

Tenet: Interpreters demonstrate respect for Consumers.

Illustrative Behaviors:

• • 4.2 – Approach consumers with a professional demeanor at all times.
  • 4.4 – Facilitate communication access and equality, and support the full interaction and independence of consumers.

These are just a few possible examples of Tenets/Illustrative Behaviors that may help an interpreter decide how best to proceed if faced with a similar situation to the above scenario. Take a look at the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct to see if you can find other Tenet(s)/ Illustrative Behaviors that you think may best apply to Scenario #6.

If you have enjoyed the contents of this blog, please be sure to check out the prior scenarios in this series:

• Scenario #1
• Scenario #2
• Scenario #3
• Scenario #4
• Scenario #5

Hope you have enjoyed the contents of this blog!

If you are an interpreter in the Southeast Florida area, interested in freelance work and have availability days, nights, or weekends, we have a variety of assignments throughout the community (medical appointments, evening/overnight hospital shifts, day/evening college classes, school districts, legal, etc.). Please visit our website and submit our New Interpreter Questionnaire:

https://interpreterresource.com/freelance-interpreters/new-interpreter-questionnaire