Ethics & Professional Responsibility Flashcards

When an interpreter is working via video remote interpreting (VRI) and the audio quality degrades to a point affecting accuracy, the interpreter should:

Answer: Immediately alert the court to the technical issue and request a pause or alternative arrangement

Poor audio that compromises accuracy must be reported immediately, as it directly affects the defendant's right to meaningful interpretation.

A court interpreter who previously worked as a police officer is assigned to interpret in a case involving law enforcement misconduct. This situation requires:

Answer: Disclosure of the prior law enforcement background to the court as a potential conflict of interest

Prior professional relationships or roles that could create bias must be disclosed so the court can evaluate whether a conflict exists.

What is the ethical significance of an interpreter using first-person voice when interpreting testimony?

Answer: It maintains accuracy by preserving the speaker's voice and preventing the interpreter from becoming a filter

First-person voice keeps the interpreter in a conduit role, preventing distortion that occurs when the interpreter paraphrases in third person.

A court interpreter is bilingual in English and Mandarin but has never interpreted in a specialized patent case. The ethical course of action before accepting the assignment is to:

Answer: Honestly assess and disclose any lack of specialized technical vocabulary competence

Subject-matter competence is a component of professional competence; gaps must be disclosed so the court can make an informed decision.

How should a court interpreter handle a situation where the opposing party's attorney attempts to coach the interpreter on how to render a disputed term?

Answer: Decline the coaching and, if necessary, alert the court to the attempted interference

Attorneys must not direct interpretation; the interpreter's duty is to the court and accuracy, not to any party's preferred rendering.

An interpreter certified in spoken Spanish is asked to interpret for a Deaf Spanish-speaking witness using Mexican Sign Language (LSM). The interpreter should:

Answer: Decline and inform the court that a qualified LSM interpreter is required

Spoken language certification does not qualify an interpreter for signed languages; a credentialed LSM interpreter must be obtained.

An interpreter who has been disciplined by a certification board for an ethics violation is subsequently hired for a federal court proceeding. The interpreter has an ethical obligation to:

Answer: Disclose the disciplinary action to the court before accepting the appointment

Prior disciplinary actions are material information that the court must have to ensure the integrity of proceedings and the reliability of the interpreter.