Ethics In Interpreting

1174 Words5 Pages
Many professionals have created rules and guidelines to follow when ethical questions or dilemmas arise in the workplace. Interpreters have followed this pattern, as the RID and AVLIC have Codes of Ethics. Although these guidelines are helpful, they do not cover every situation. Interpreters must not only follow the Code of Ethics, but must also have strong personal morals as well as ethical judgment to be tested in the workplace. This essay will cover a situation in which an interpreter is faced with an ethical dilemma; whether or not to turn in a hearing student they catch cheating. Although there is no single “right” or obvious answer to the question, an attempt to find one will be made. What are ethics? This is a loaded and complex question. For the sake of time and space, the definition of two interpreting educators is referenced. “… ethics (we will define as) behavioral standards – a set of principles that defines what is judged appropriate or inappropriate, right or wrong” (Alcorn & Humphrey, 2007, p.301). Because this particular situation is not specifically mentioned in the interpreting Code of Ethics, it is necessary for the interpreter to use their own personal morals and ethical judgment in order to decide which course of action or inaction to take. In order to make this decision, critical thinking is needed. A variety of viewpoints need to be considered, and there are steps to consider. These steps include listing options, identifying the consequences of actions, collecting and reviewing facts, reviewing consequences, reviewing options, ranking options, and then acting. It may seem like a long process to make a simple decision, but it is important. The two most obvious options to the interpreter are to turn the cheating student in, or turn a cheek and choose the option of inaction. Although there are other options available, these two will be
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