Training Ethical Translators and Interpreters

Abstract

A code of ethics for translation and interpreting is important in guiding translation and interpreting practice in the real world. It is designed to protect the interests of both translators and interpreters as well as clients of translation and interpreting services. Many professional associations of translators and interpreters around the world have set down codes of ethics for their members to follow, and such codes have also become an important component of translator and interpreter training programs. However, it has been found that the principles outlined in these codes of ethics sometimes fail to reflect in real-life practice or to provide satisfactory solutions to real problems due to different requirements of various parties involved in the process. This dilemma is reflected in translation and interpreting programs. Graduates of such programs at times find themselves unsure of how to act ethically. This has raised two important issues, i.e., how useful the existing codes of ethics are, and how to train students to develop the ability to act ethically in the real world. This paper particularly targets the link between the transfer of ethical knowledge in training programs and practical issues encountered in the translation and interpreting market in Australia, where there is an established code of ethics laid down by the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT). The research is based on a questionnaire and follow-up interviews with graduates of translation and interpreting programs who are now working as professional translators and interpreters. The findings suggest that the current code of ethics remains useful in guiding the translation and interpreting practice in general. However, there are real-life situations that contradict certain principles in the code of ethics or that are not adequately addressed in them. The ethical content of the curriculum should therefore be designed to incorporate case studies, role plays and forums based on real-life examples. Teaching about the ethical aspects of translation and interpreting should enable students to develop the ability to act ethically based on the relevant code of ethics.