NAATI Professional Ethics and Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An interpreter is asked by a lawyer to 'soften' a client's aggressive statement before interpreting it to the judge. What should the interpreter do?
- Soften the statement as requested to maintain courtroom decorum
- Refuse and interpret the statement accurately as spoken (Correct answer)
- Ask the judge for permission to modify the statement
- Omit the aggressive parts and summarize the key points
Correct answer: Refuse and interpret the statement accurately as spoken
NAATI's Code of Ethics requires interpreters to render messages accurately without altering, omitting, or adding to the source content, regardless of instructions from parties.
Question 2: A translator discovers mid-project that the source document contains content they find personally offensive. What is the ethical course of action?
- Continue translating but omit the offensive sections
- Inform the client immediately and, if unable to continue, withdraw professionally (Correct answer)
- Complete the work but add a translator's note expressing personal disagreement
- Translate only the non-offensive parts without notifying the client
Correct answer: Inform the client immediately and, if unable to continue, withdraw professionally
NAATI ethics require practitioners to notify clients of any conflict that may affect their ability to perform, allowing the client to find an alternative if necessary.
Question 3: Which NAATI credential level is specifically designed for community interpreting in healthcare, legal aid, and social services settings?
- Certified Conference Interpreter
- Certified Translator
- Certified Interpreter (Correct answer)
- Certified Provisional Interpreter
Correct answer: Certified Interpreter
The NAATI Certified Interpreter credential is aimed at community interpreting contexts such as healthcare, legal, and social services.
Question 4: A bilingual staff member at a hospital asks a NAATI-certified interpreter to 'just tell the patient what I say — the exact words don't matter.' How should the interpreter respond?
- Comply, since the staff member has authority in the hospital setting
- Explain that professional ethics require accurate and complete interpretation (Correct answer)
- Ask a supervisor to arbitrate before proceeding
- Agree and adjust the message for perceived patient understanding
Correct answer: Explain that professional ethics require accurate and complete interpretation
Interpreters must uphold accuracy standards even when directed otherwise by non-interpreting staff, as professional obligations are non-negotiable.
Question 5: Under NAATI's ethical framework, what does the principle of 'impartiality' require of an interpreter?
- To favor the weaker party in a communication exchange
- To avoid taking sides and maintain neutrality toward all parties (Correct answer)
- To remain silent when one party makes a factually incorrect statement
- To report any illegal statements heard during an assignment
Correct answer: To avoid taking sides and maintain neutrality toward all parties
Impartiality requires the interpreter to remain neutral and not favor any party, regardless of personal sympathies or professional relationships.
Question 6: A NAATI-certified translator is offered a rush job but recognizes the deadline is too short to produce quality work. What should they do ethically?
- Accept and do their best within the timeframe
- Accept and subcontract without informing the client
- Decline or negotiate a realistic deadline that ensures quality (Correct answer)
- Accept and deliver only a partial translation by the deadline
Correct answer: Decline or negotiate a realistic deadline that ensures quality
NAATI's professional standards require practitioners to only accept work they can competently complete; accepting unachievable deadlines compromises quality and professional integrity.
Question 7: When an interpreter witnesses one party providing false information during a mediation session, what is the correct NAATI-aligned response?
- Interrupt the session to correct the false information
- Interpret the false information accurately without personal intervention (Correct answer)
- Stop interpreting and report the falsehood to the mediator privately
- Warn the other party by adding a brief disclaimer to the interpretation
Correct answer: Interpret the false information accurately without personal intervention
The interpreter's role is to accurately convey what is said; it is not their place to judge the truthfulness of statements or intervene in the substantive content of proceedings.
NAATI Professional Ethics and Standards 2
An interpreter is asked by a lawyer to 'soften' a client's aggressive statement before interpreting it to the judge.
What should the interpreter do?