STC Professional Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A translator discovers mid-project that the source text contains information that could be used to defraud consumers. What is the ethical course of action?
- Complete the translation and say nothing to avoid involvement
- Refuse to continue and inform the client of the concern (Correct answer)
- Alter the text to remove the fraudulent content
- Translate only the non-fraudulent portions without notifying anyone
Correct answer: Refuse to continue and inform the client of the concern
Ethical translators must not participate in deception and should alert the client to potential legal or ethical violations.
Question 2: Under the ATA Code of Ethics, a translator's primary obligation regarding accuracy is to:
- Match the style of the target language audience's preferences
- Render the meaning of the source text faithfully and completely (Correct answer)
- Improve upon the source text where the original is unclear
- Adapt content to what the client believes the audience wants to hear
Correct answer: Render the meaning of the source text faithfully and completely
The ATA Code requires translators to render the meaning of the source text faithfully, neither adding nor omitting content.
Question 3: When a certified Spanish translator is asked to certify a translation completed entirely by a non-certified colleague, what should they do?
- Sign it if they trust their colleague's competence
- Review it thoroughly, make corrections, and then certify it as their own work (Correct answer)
- Refuse unless they performed the translation themselves
- Add a note that the translation was done by another party
Correct answer: Review it thoroughly, make corrections, and then certify it as their own work
A translator may certify work they have thoroughly reviewed and take responsibility for, but cannot certify work they have not personally verified.
Question 4: A translator working on a medical record recognizes the patient as a neighbor. The most ethical action is to:
- Complete the work since professional accuracy is all that matters
- Disclose the conflict of interest to the client and recuse themselves (Correct answer)
- Complete the work but tell the neighbor about it as a courtesy
- Share the translation with the neighbor since they are the subject
Correct answer: Disclose the conflict of interest to the client and recuse themselves
Recognizing a personal connection creates a conflict of interest that must be disclosed, and the translator should withdraw from the assignment.
Question 5: Which behavior best demonstrates professional integrity for a Spanish translator?
- Accepting all assignments regardless of subject-matter expertise
- Declining assignments outside one's area of competence (Correct answer)
- Inflating credentials on a resume to attract higher-paying clients
- Sharing client feedback with other translators to improve the field
Correct answer: Declining assignments outside one's area of competence
Professional integrity requires declining work one is not competent to perform, even if it means losing income.
Question 6: A client asks a translator to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) as part of a project contract. Ethically, the translator should:
- Refuse, since NDAs conflict with professional transparency obligations
- Sign it if it aligns with their existing confidentiality obligations (Correct answer)
- Only sign if permitted by the ATA
- Consult their professional association before signing any contract
Correct answer: Sign it if it aligns with their existing confidentiality obligations
NDAs are standard in the industry and align with translators' inherent confidentiality duties when terms are reasonable.
Question 7: A translator realizes after submitting a final translation that they made a significant error. The ethical response is to:
- Say nothing unless the client notices
- Immediately notify the client and offer to correct the error (Correct answer)
- Wait and see if the error causes any problems before acting
- Blame the tight deadline when informing the client
Correct answer: Immediately notify the client and offer to correct the error
Professional ethics demand prompt disclosure of errors and a good-faith effort to correct them, regardless of professional embarrassment.
STC Professional Ethics 2
A translator discovers mid-project that the source text contains information that could be used to defraud consumers.
What is the ethical course of action?