CASLI Ethical & Professional Decision-Making 2 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Deaf consumer asks the interpreter to soften an attorney's blunt language during a deposition. What should the interpreter do?
- Soften the language as requested to support the consumer
- Render the message with equivalent impact and register (Correct answer)
- Ask the attorney to rephrase before interpreting
- Pause and explain to both parties that adjustment is not possible
Correct answer: Render the message with equivalent impact and register
Interpreters must convey the full meaning and register of the source message, not alter tone to accommodate a consumer's preferences.
Question 2: An interpreter discovers mid-assignment that the Deaf client is a family member of someone they know. What is the ethical priority?
- Continue interpreting since the assignment has already started
- Disclose the relationship and offer to withdraw if either party wishes (Correct answer)
- Say nothing unless directly asked
- Complete the assignment and report afterward to their agency
Correct answer: Disclose the relationship and offer to withdraw if either party wishes
RID Code of Professional Conduct requires interpreters to disclose potential conflicts of interest so parties can make informed decisions.
Question 3: During a mental health session, a client discloses a credible plan to harm a specific person. What should the interpreter do?
- Keep the information confidential per professional ethics
- Interpret the disclosure accurately so the clinician can respond (Correct answer)
- Interrupt and directly warn the potential victim
- Ask the client to repeat the statement to confirm understanding
Correct answer: Interpret the disclosure accurately so the clinician can respond
The interpreter's role is to convey the message faithfully; the licensed clinicianānot the interpreterāholds the duty-to-warn obligation.
Question 4: A video remote interpreting (VRI) platform asks an interpreter to sign off on a session log that includes time they did not actually work. What is the correct response?
- Sign off to avoid conflict with the employer
- Refuse to sign and report the discrepancy to the appropriate party (Correct answer)
- Adjust their own records to match the log
- Consult a colleague before deciding
Correct answer: Refuse to sign and report the discrepancy to the appropriate party
Signing a false record is fraudulent; interpreters must maintain honesty and integrity in all professional dealings.
Question 5: An interpreter working in an IEP meeting feels the school staff are making an uninformed decision about a Deaf student. What is appropriate?
- Advocate for the student by presenting their professional opinion
- Interpret all communication accurately and allow the process to proceed (Correct answer)
- Ask permission to add a comment before interpreting further
- Summarize concerns to the parents after the meeting
Correct answer: Interpret all communication accurately and allow the process to proceed
Interpreters facilitate communication but do not assume an advocacy role that belongs to the parties themselves.
Question 6: An interpreter is offered a bonus by a Deaf consumer if they interpret favorably in a legal matter. What must the interpreter do?
- Accept only if it does not influence their work
- Decline and, if necessary, withdraw from the assignment (Correct answer)
- Report the offer to the hearing party
- Accept but document the offer for transparency
Correct answer: Decline and, if necessary, withdraw from the assignment
Accepting incentives that could compromise impartiality is an ethical violation; withdrawal may be required.
Question 7: Two interpreters team-interpreting disagree about an ASL sign choice mid-assignment. What is the best immediate action?
- Switch to using only English glossing to avoid further conflict
- Use a subtle team signal and resolve the disagreement during a break (Correct answer)
- Openly debate the sign choice in front of consumers
- Ask the Deaf consumer to decide which sign is correct
Correct answer: Use a subtle team signal and resolve the disagreement during a break
Team interpreters address linguistic disagreements discreetly so consumers are not disrupted or made to arbitrate.
CASLI Ethical & Professional Decision-Making 2
A Deaf consumer asks the interpreter to soften an attorney's blunt language during a deposition.
What should the interpreter do?