Professional Code of Conduct Flashcards

A transliterator is asked by a supervisor to use a non-standard transliteration system for an internal style guide. The professional should:

Answer: Comply and apply the house style consistently throughout the project while noting any significant phonetic inaccuracies

House or client-specific style guides are legitimate professional instructions; the transliterator should comply consistently and flag any significant accuracy concerns.

A transliterator learns that a competitor has been using their name as a reference without permission in marketing materials. The most ethical first step is to:

Answer: Contact the competitor directly and request that the unauthorized use cease

Direct, professional communication is the appropriate first step before escalating to legal or institutional channels.

When quoting fees for a transliteration project, professional ethics require that the transliterator:

Answer: Quote fees accurately and disclose any potential additional charges before the client commits

Transparent, accurate fee disclosure before client commitment is an ethical obligation; hidden charges violate fair dealing principles.

A transliterator who holds a CT credential is asked to provide testimony in court about a transliteration dispute. Their primary obligation is to:

Answer: Provide honest, objective testimony based on professional expertise regardless of who retained them

An expert witness's ethical duty is to the court and truth, not to the retaining party; objectivity must be maintained regardless of who pays.

Which behavior best demonstrates respect for the profession when dealing with end users of transliterated documents?

Answer: Ensuring that the transliteration accurately serves the end user's needs and is explained when necessary

Serving end users well — including providing explanations when complex rendering decisions are made — reflects the broader social responsibility of the profession.

A transliterator is asked to back-date a certification document to meet a client's filing deadline that has already passed. The professional should:

Answer: Refuse, as back-dating a professional certification is fraudulent regardless of the circumstances

Back-dating a professional certification constitutes fraud; no circumstances or client indemnification agreements make this ethical or legal.

Under the professional code of conduct, how should a transliterator respond when they become aware that a colleague is consistently delivering substandard work that is harming clients?

Answer: Address the concern through appropriate channels such as a professional association ethics committee

Protecting the public and the integrity of the profession requires reporting serious, persistent misconduct through appropriate institutional channels.