ATA - American Translators Association ATA Code of Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

An ATA-certified translator is asked by a prospective client to translate a highly specialized patent for a new pharmaceutical compound.
The translator's expertise is in legal contracts, and they have no experience with pharmaceutical or chemical texts.
According to the ATA Code of Ethics, what is the most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Decline the assignment, explaining that it falls outside their area of professional competence.

Answer

Accept the project and use online dictionaries and glossaries to handle the specialized terminology.

Answer

Accept the project but subcontract the specialized sections to a colleague with pharmaceutical expertise without informing the client.

Answer

Accept the project at a discounted rate to compensate for their lack of specialized knowledge.

Question 2

A translator is working on a sensitive financial report for a publicly traded company that is about to announce its quarterly earnings. Before the announcement, the translator discusses specific, non-public figures from the report with a colleague who is also an ATA member to get advice on a formatting issue. Which tenet of the ATA Code of Ethics has been violated?

Accepted Answer

Holding confidential information in confidence.

Answer

Acting collegially by sharing knowledge.

Answer

Conveying meaning faithfully and accurately.

Answer

Abiding by the terms of business transactions.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the principle of impartiality as defined in the ATA Code of Ethics?

Accepted Answer

A translator rendering a text that contains opinions they personally disagree with, ensuring the author's original message and tone are conveyed without alteration.

Answer

A translator improving a poorly written source text by omitting redundant sentences to make it clearer for the target audience.

Answer

A translator adding a footnote to explain a cultural concept that has no direct equivalent in the target language.

Answer

A translator softening profane language in a source document because they believe it is inappropriate for the intended target audience.

Question 4

According to the ATA Code of Ethics, a member's commitment to continuing education is intended to:

Accepted Answer

Enhance their capabilities and keep abreast of changes in language, culture, and technology.

Answer

Fulfill a mandatory requirement for renewing ATA membership each year.

Answer

Justify charging higher rates than non-certified translators.

Answer

Provide a competitive advantage in marketing materials.

Question 5

A freelance translator, working through an agency, completes a project for one of the agency's major clients. The end client is so impressed with the work that they contact the translator directly and offer them regular, ongoing work, bypassing the agency. According to the commentary on the ATA Code of Ethics, what is the translator's ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Accept the offer but agree to pay the agency a one-time finder's fee.

Answer

Accept the offer, as the end client initiated the contact.

Answer

Report the agency to the ATA for failing to secure an exclusive contract.

Answer

Politely decline the direct offer, as it undermines the business relationship with the agency.

Question 6

When an ATA member lists their credentials, such as 'ATA-Certified Translator,' on their website or resume, what does the principle of 'honest representation' require?

Accepted Answer

Specifying the language pair and direction of the certification (e.g., 'Spanish to English').

Answer

Listing only the highest credential earned to avoid confusion.

Answer

Using the general term 'ATA Member' to encompass all qualifications.

Answer

Including the year the certification was first achieved.