CASLI Professional Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An interpreter is asked to interpret a ceremony that conflicts with their deeply held religious beliefs. What is the most ethical action?
- Interpret the ceremony but express personal objection beforehand
- Accept the assignment and interpret impartially regardless of personal beliefs
- Decline the assignment and refer the agency to another qualified interpreter (Correct answer)
- Interpret only the portions that do not conflict with their beliefs
Correct answer: Decline the assignment and refer the agency to another qualified interpreter
Interpreters may decline assignments that conflict with deeply held personal beliefs, provided they give timely notice so an alternative can be arranged.
Question 2: During an interpreted job interview, the interviewer makes a discriminatory comment about Deaf people. What should the interpreter do?
- Omit the comment to protect the Deaf candidate
- Interpret the comment accurately and completely (Correct answer)
- Interrupt and correct the interviewer's misconception
- Pause the session and report the comment to HR immediately
Correct answer: Interpret the comment accurately and completely
The interpreter's role is to convey all messages faithfully; omitting or altering content violates fidelity even when the content is offensive.
Question 3: A CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter) and a hearing interpreter are working as a team. Who holds ethical responsibility for the accuracy of the final interpreted message?
- Only the hearing interpreter, since they have direct access to the spoken language
- Only the CDI, since they share the same language modality as the consumer
- Both interpreters share equal ethical responsibility (Correct answer)
- The agency that hired the team bears the primary responsibility
Correct answer: Both interpreters share equal ethical responsibility
In team interpreting, all interpreters share responsibility for the accuracy and ethical delivery of the interpretation.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the CASLI Code of Ethics for interpreters seeking certification?
- To establish minimum wage standards for professional interpreters
- To provide a framework of professional standards and ethical conduct (Correct answer)
- To list specific techniques for interpreting in medical settings
- To rank interpreters by skill level for agency referrals
Correct answer: To provide a framework of professional standards and ethical conduct
The CASLI Code of Ethics establishes professional standards and ethical conduct expectations for interpreters seeking and maintaining certification.
Question 5: An interpreter realizes mid-assignment that they lack the subject-matter competency needed for a highly technical legal deposition. What should they do?
- Continue and do their best so as not to disrupt the proceedings
- Request a brief recess and disclose competency limitations to the coordinating party (Correct answer)
- Speed up their pace to minimize the time spent outside their competency
- Ask the Deaf consumer to simplify their language to compensate
Correct answer: Request a brief recess and disclose competency limitations to the coordinating party
Ethical practice requires interpreters to recognize and disclose competency limitations so appropriate measures can be taken to protect all parties.
Question 6: Which scenario represents a violation of the impartiality tenet in the RID Code of Professional Conduct?
- An interpreter asks for a brief break during a long assignment
- An interpreter edits a Deaf person's message to sound 'more professional' to a hearing employer (Correct answer)
- An interpreter uses the consumer's preferred communication mode
- An interpreter requests preparation materials before a specialized assignment
Correct answer: An interpreter edits a Deaf person's message to sound 'more professional' to a hearing employer
Editing a consumer's message to manage impressions violates impartiality by imposing the interpreter's judgment on the communication.
Question 7: A Deaf consumer's family member asks the interpreter to explain what was discussed in a confidential medical appointment. What should the interpreter do?
- Share a brief summary since the family is trying to help the patient
- Decline and explain that the content of the appointment is confidential (Correct answer)
- Suggest the family member ask the medical provider directly
- Ask the Deaf consumer's permission before sharing any information
Correct answer: Decline and explain that the content of the appointment is confidential
Confidentiality extends to all parties outside the assignment; interpreters must decline to share information from interpreted sessions.
CASLI Professional Ethics 3
An interpreter is asked to interpret a ceremony that conflicts with their deeply held religious beliefs.
What is the most ethical action?