NIC Professional Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An interpreter is working in a courtroom when the defense attorney makes a factual error about a date. What should the interpreter do?
- Correct the attorney to ensure accuracy
- Interpret the error exactly as stated (Correct answer)
- Pause proceedings to alert the judge
- Ask the attorney to restate the date correctly
Correct answer: Interpret the error exactly as stated
Interpreters must render messages faithfully, including errors, and are not advocates who correct speakers.
Question 2: Which ethical principle requires an interpreter to avoid personal gain from information obtained during an assignment?
- Confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Impartiality
- Accuracy
- Role boundaries
Correct answer: Confidentiality
Confidentiality prohibits using privileged information for personal benefit beyond the scope of the assignment.
Question 3: A Deaf client asks the interpreter to sign more slowly because they are hard to understand. What is the appropriate response?
- Refuse, as changing style compromises accuracy
- Accommodate the request to support effective communication (Correct answer)
- Ask a supervisor for permission first
- Suggest the client use a different interpreter
Correct answer: Accommodate the request to support effective communication
Interpreters should adjust their communication style to meet the needs of consumers while maintaining accuracy.
Question 4: An interpreter notices that a Deaf employee is being denied a reasonable accommodation at work. The interpreter should:
- Advocate on the employee's behalf immediately
- Report the situation to the HR department
- Interpret the interactions without personally intervening (Correct answer)
- Contact the NAD on the employee's behalf
Correct answer: Interpret the interactions without personally intervening
Interpreters maintain professional boundaries and do not take on advocacy roles during assignments.
Question 5: What does the NIC Code of Professional Conduct say about an interpreter's obligation when they make an interpreting error?
- Errors must be reported to RID after the assignment
- Interpreters should correct errors they catch during the assignment (Correct answer)
- Errors should only be corrected if they change the legal outcome
- Interpreters are not expected to self-correct during work
Correct answer: Interpreters should correct errors they catch during the assignment
Interpreters have a responsibility to correct their own errors as soon as they are identified to maintain accuracy.
Question 6: An interpreter is asked by a hearing doctor to summarize a Deaf patient's responses rather than interpret them fully. The interpreter should:
- Comply to save the doctor's time
- Explain that full interpretation is required and interpret completely (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient's permission before summarizing
- Summarize only the medically relevant parts
Correct answer: Explain that full interpretation is required and interpret completely
Interpreters must render complete and accurate interpretations and cannot ethically reduce or summarize content.
Question 7: A colleague interpreter asks you to share details about a high-profile case you interpreted last week. You should:
- Share only general information without identifying details
- Decline to share any information protected by confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Share details since the colleague is also a professional interpreter
- Ask the client's permission before sharing any information
Correct answer: Decline to share any information protected by confidentiality
Confidentiality protections apply to all parties and continue after the assignment ends, regardless of who is asking.
NIC Professional Ethics 2
An interpreter is working in a courtroom when the defense attorney makes a factual error about a date.
What should the interpreter do?