CASLI Professional Ethics 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A hearing parent requests that their Deaf child's school interpreter share daily progress reports on the child's communication. What should the interpreter do?
- Comply since parents have legal rights over their minor child's education
- Decline and direct the parent to communicate with the classroom teacher (Correct answer)
- Share general observations but withhold anything said in private by the child
- Ask the child's permission before sharing any information with the parent
Correct answer: Decline and direct the parent to communicate with the classroom teacher
The interpreter's role is to facilitate communication, not report on it; the parent should obtain information through appropriate educational channels.
Question 2: Which behavior best demonstrates an interpreter's commitment to ongoing professional development as an ethical obligation?
- Working exclusively in one specialized setting to maintain familiarity
- Attending CEUs, workshops, and seeking mentorship to improve skills (Correct answer)
- Relying on consumer feedback alone to identify areas for improvement
- Upgrading equipment and technology used during remote assignments
Correct answer: Attending CEUs, workshops, and seeking mentorship to improve skills
Pursuing continuing education and professional development is an ethical obligation that ensures interpreters maintain and improve their competency.
Question 3: An interpreter interprets a statement they believe to be factually incorrect. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Correct the error before relaying the statement to avoid misinforming the other party
- Interpret the statement accurately and completely as spoken (Correct answer)
- Add a brief disclaimer after the interpretation indicating the information may be wrong
- Alert the listener privately that the speaker may be mistaken
Correct answer: Interpret the statement accurately and completely as spoken
The interpreter's role is to convey messages faithfully; evaluating or correcting the factual accuracy of content falls outside their professional role.
Question 4: What is the ethical significance of an interpreter arriving well-prepared with subject-matter knowledge before a specialized assignment?
- It allows the interpreter to correct technical errors made by speakers
- It fulfills the competency obligation and supports accurate, complete interpretation (Correct answer)
- It gives the interpreter authority to guide the discussion if needed
- It is optional since interpreters are expected to handle any content in real time
Correct answer: It fulfills the competency obligation and supports accurate, complete interpretation
Preparation is part of the competency obligation; arriving with subject-matter knowledge helps the interpreter render an accurate and complete interpretation.
Question 5: When is it ethically permissible for an interpreter to break confidentiality without the consumer's consent?
- When a supervisor requests information for quality assurance purposes
- When the interpreter is subpoenaed or there is an imminent safety risk (Correct answer)
- When the consumer is a public figure and the information is newsworthy
- When another interpreter on the team needs context to take over the assignment
Correct answer: When the interpreter is subpoenaed or there is an imminent safety risk
Confidentiality may be broken only under legal compulsion such as a subpoena, or when there is a serious and imminent risk to the safety of someone.
Question 6: A Deaf consumer asks the interpreter to voice-off during a portion of the session because they prefer to speak for themselves. What should the interpreter do?
- Refuse since interpreting all communication is required by the assignment
- Honor the consumer's request and step back from voicing during that portion (Correct answer)
- Continue voicing at a lower volume to remain available
- Consult the hearing party before complying with the Deaf consumer's request
Correct answer: Honor the consumer's request and step back from voicing during that portion
Respecting consumer autonomy means honoring the Deaf consumer's right to determine their preferred mode of communication during an assignment.
Question 7: Which of the following best illustrates the ethical concept of 'accuracy' in sign language interpreting?
- Using the most common sign for a concept even if the consumer prefers a regional variant
- Conveying the complete meaning, intent, and register of the source message (Correct answer)
- Translating every word literally to ensure nothing is omitted
- Simplifying complex content so both parties can follow the conversation
Correct answer: Conveying the complete meaning, intent, and register of the source message
Accuracy requires conveying the full meaning, intent, tone, and register of the source message, not just literal words or simplified content.
CASLI Professional Ethics 5
A hearing parent requests that their Deaf child's school interpreter share daily progress reports on the child's communication.
What should the interpreter do?