CASLI Professional Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An interpreter is working at a mental health intake appointment and realizes the client is their neighbor. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Continue interpreting since they already know the client
- Disclose the conflict to the parties and withdraw from the assignment (Correct answer)
- Interpret but avoid eye contact to maintain professional distance
- Ask the client privately if they mind before proceeding
Correct answer: Disclose the conflict to the parties and withdraw from the assignment
When a pre-existing relationship creates a conflict of interest, the interpreter must disclose and withdraw to preserve impartiality and confidentiality.
Question 2: Under the RID Code of Professional Conduct, which tenet addresses the interpreter's responsibility to maintain accuracy and completeness of the message?
- Tenet 1: Confidentiality
- Tenet 2: Professionalism (Correct answer)
- Tenet 3: Conduct
- Tenet 4: Respect for Consumers
Correct answer: Tenet 2: Professionalism
Tenet 2 (Professionalism) requires interpreters to render the message faithfully, conveying the content and spirit of the communication accurately.
Question 3: A Deaf consumer requests that the interpreter also serve as their advocate during a legal proceeding. What should the interpreter do?
- Advocate as requested since the Deaf consumer has the right to make that choice
- Decline and explain that advocacy falls outside the interpreter's professional role (Correct answer)
- Advocate only if no other support person is available
- Consult the attorney before deciding whether to advocate
Correct answer: Decline and explain that advocacy falls outside the interpreter's professional role
Interpreters must maintain role boundaries; advocacy is a separate professional role that conflicts with impartiality required during interpreting.
Question 4: An interpreter overhears a colleague sharing details of a recent assignment at a social gathering. What is the most appropriate response?
- Join the conversation to see if the information is truly confidential
- Ignore it since it is a private social setting
- Privately remind the colleague of their confidentiality obligations (Correct answer)
- Report the colleague immediately to the certification board
Correct answer: Privately remind the colleague of their confidentiality obligations
A private, collegial reminder respects professional norms and addresses the breach without escalating prematurely.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'role boundaries' in sign language interpreting ethics?
- The physical distance maintained between the interpreter and consumers
- The limits of the interpreter's professional responsibilities versus other roles (Correct answer)
- The certified skill levels that determine assignment eligibility
- The geographic region where an interpreter is authorized to work
Correct answer: The limits of the interpreter's professional responsibilities versus other roles
Role boundaries define what falls within the interpreter's professional function and distinguish it from other roles such as counselor, advocate, or friend.
Question 6: A platform interpreter notices that a Deaf student appears confused by an instructor's explanation during a lecture. What should the interpreter do?
- Stop and explain the concept to the student directly
- Signal to the instructor that clarification may be needed (Correct answer)
- Add clarifying information to the interpretation without notifying anyone
- Ignore it since the student can ask their own questions
Correct answer: Signal to the instructor that clarification may be needed
The interpreter may facilitate communication by signaling the need for clarification, but should not independently add explanations that alter the message.
Question 7: What does the ethical principle of 'consumer autonomy' require of an interpreter?
- The interpreter makes decisions on behalf of the Deaf consumer when needed
- The interpreter defers to the hearing party in all communication decisions
- The interpreter respects the consumer's right to make their own informed decisions (Correct answer)
- The interpreter selects the most beneficial communication mode for the consumer
Correct answer: The interpreter respects the consumer's right to make their own informed decisions
Consumer autonomy means interpreters respect and support consumers' rights to self-determination without imposing the interpreter's own judgment.
CASLI Professional Ethics 2
An interpreter is working at a mental health intake appointment and realizes the client is their neighbor.
What is the most ethical course of action?