Ethical & Professional Decision-Making Flashcards

An interpreter in a job interview setting realizes the Deaf candidate signed something that could be misunderstood in English. What is the ethical response?

Answer: Render an accurate equivalent in English that preserves the candidate's meaning

Interpreters must render accurate, equivalent messages without editing to favor or disadvantage either party.

A Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) and a hearing interpreter are working as a team. Who typically takes the primary role with the Deaf consumer?

Answer: The CDI typically takes the primary role with the Deaf consumer

In CDI-hearing teams, the CDI typically works directly with the Deaf consumer using their shared cultural and linguistic framework.

An interpreter notices a conflict between what the RID Code of Professional Conduct requires and what a state law mandates. What is the recommended approach?

Answer: Follow the law and consult with a professional ethics advisor about the conflict

Legal requirements cannot be overridden by professional codes; the interpreter must comply with the law and seek guidance on the ethical tension.

An interpreter finishes an assignment and receives a social media message from the Deaf consumer asking to connect. What is the most appropriate response?

Answer: Consider the professional boundary implications and generally decline or maintain a clear professional boundary

Social media connections can blur professional boundaries and create dual relationships that compromise future assignments.

During a religious ceremony, the interpreter is asked to convey the congregation's prayer in a way that reflects their personal faith. What should the interpreter do?

Answer: Interpret the prayer as delivered without adding personal religious interpretation

Interpreters convey the source message faithfully regardless of their own beliefs or the setting's religious nature.

An interpreter is mid-assignment when they realize they are experiencing significant cognitive fatigue affecting accuracy. What is the correct action?

Answer: Signal the team interpreter to switch and take a brief rest period

Using team interpreting protocols to rotate when fatigued preserves accuracy and upholds the interpreter's duty to the consumers.

An interpreter is asked to work in a setting where the Deaf consumer uses a regional sign dialect the interpreter is unfamiliar with. What is the ethical decision?

Answer: Disclose the limitation and determine whether a more qualified interpreter is available

Transparency about linguistic limitations allows consumers and agencies to make informed decisions about interpreter assignment.