Communication is inherently human, meant to connect us. What are the ethical challenges of ‘speaking the same language’ as your client?
“Can you give me your phone number?” I have heard dozens of such requests from my clients over the years of interpreting for IEP meetings and legal debriefing sessions.
And every time I had to come up with a polite excuse, since “it’s against the rules and regulations of my job” didn’t sound convincing to them.
When you speak your client’s native language, it’s easy for them to build a rapport with you based on your mutual background and, often, country of origin.
Being an immigrant myself, I know the mechanism behind befriending “your people”.
Under different circumstances, we could have exchanged phone numbers and sometimes go for a coffee or set up a playdate for our kids, but in the paradigm of a service provider (aka an interpreter) and a service recipient (aka a client), it is essential not to erase the boundaries of professional relationships.
Kelly Henriquez, certified medical interpreter of Spanish and interpreter trainer from Virginia experienced similar issues: “I’ve definitely had consumers (both patients, their family members, and medical providers) ask for my contact information at the end of an appointment. In the case of the provider, I redirect them back to the interpreting agency I am providing services on behalf of as a contractor. In the case of a patient or their family, I often respond that I interpret all over the city, and they may once again see me one day. Sometimes they appear to be so genuinely sad that they may never see me again. But I always say “see you later” with a big smile, and I find this goes a long way”.
But why is it mandatory to abide by this rule? The code of ethics will explain it in detail.
The Code of Ethics is an agreed-upon set of guidelines for professionals to standardize their conduct at work.
As of today, there are three recognized codes of ethics for healthcare interpreters:
- The first one was adopted by the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) in July 2004.
- The second one was offered by the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA).
- The third code was written by the California Healthcare Interpreting Association (CHIA).
Each of these codes highlights the importance of keeping boundaries with a client or a patient.
NCIHC stresses the necessity for “the interpreter to maintain the boundaries of the professional role, refraining from personal involvement”.
IMIA advises interpreters “not to interject personal opinions or counsel patients and refrain from using their position to gain favors from clients”. Obviously, these rules are hard to follow if an interpreter befriends the client.
CHIA underlines professionalism and integrity as one of the core elements of the code of ethics, encouraging interpreters “to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the professional standards and ethical principles of the healthcare interpreting profession”.
Overall, all three codes of ethics adhere to seven core values:
- Accuracy
- Advocacy
- Confidentiality
- Cultural Competence
- Impartiality
- Professional Conduct
- Respect
Guadeloupe Alvarado-López, certified healthcare interpreter of Spanish from Indiana, admits, “I always maintain a physical space from a client, arrive on time for my interpreter assignments, and do a pre-session whenever possible. I have had situations when clients asked for my phone number, but I politely refused, explaining that I must stay impartial and transparent as a professional, but I would be happy to interpret for them in the future. It’s important to remember that interpreters can advocate for clients, but we are not friends or family. It’s a very thin boundary”.
The code of ethics can change with time to better serve the interpreting community. I anticipate that new values will be incorporated into it considering the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI).
The latest update in the world of ethical norms for language professionals has recently been released by the American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education (AAITE).
They presented two codes of ethics: one for translators, and another one for interpreters.
Grab the National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Education.
If you are a translator, click the link to read the National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Translators in Education.
Christopher Cardoso, Spanish freelance interpreter in education, currently providing interpreting services to two school districts in Harrisonburg, Virginia, acknowledges that, “The most challenging part of keeping professional boundaries between me as an interpreter and my LEP clients (usually, parents of students with IEPs [Individualized Educational Plans]) is the tendency for them to want to approach me more as a potential friend rather than a professional. It is difficult to keep that boundary strong without coming off as rude or unfriendly. Interaction is human nature, after all. I still struggle with this on a daily basis. The only solution to this issue is transparent communication”.
Trust between all parties involved in communication is a cornerstone of spoken language interpretation. But what about sign language professionals and their Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) clients? Do these rules apply to them too?
Generally speaking, all certified sign language interpreters are expected to adhere to the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). It stands on seven core principles, namely:
1) Confidentiality.
2) Professional skills and knowledge.
3) Appropriate conduct.
4) Respect for consumers.
5) Respect for colleagues, interns and students.
6) Ethical business practices.
7) Professional development.
You can read and download updates and considerations for the Code of Professional Conduct by following the link below.
NAD Code of Professional Conduct: updates and considerations.
While maintaining professional relationships between an interpreter and a client is essential, building trust is crucial for successful communication.
Habits become second nature to people and changing them often turns into a task with increased complexity.
Did you know that not so long ago, it was customary for an ASL interpreter to stay with a client without a service provider present in the room?
This practice now contradicts current regulations governing interpreter and client interactions. However, older generations of Deaf and HoH individuals, used to outdated practices, may require additional explanation as to why this change has occurred. Without proper communication, they may feel disrespected or worse, outcasted from communication dynamics.
An ASL interpreter must always maintain eye contact with a client. Unlike interactions between speakers of verbal languages where an interpreter can briefly look away, Deaf and HoH people rely heavily on body language, hand movements, and eye contact. Looking away may be perceived as a lack of interest or withdrawal from the conversation, although it can be useful in instances of consecutive interpreting (where information is received in the source language, processed, and then interpreted into the target language, resulting in lag time).
You will never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Ask any sign language interpreter, “What is the first step in building a bridge between you and a DHH individual?”, and they will likely say it is the pre-session introduction. After signing your full name, it is important to mention your relation to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community—whether you are a Child of Deaf Adult (CODA) or simply passionate about supporting DHH individuals, etc.
Flexibility and humility are qualities every trusted sign language interpreter should possess. For example, when a client uses a slightly different sign, an ASL interpreter should adapt by switching to the sign preferred by the DHH individual. Acknowledging mistakes and showing a willingness to learn will enhance your reputation as an approachable and reliable professional.
Rosemary Ford, an ASL interpreter with over 14 years of experience in healthcare from New Hampshire, could not agree more with such an approach: “It’s crucial to listen carefully to the client, observe the language they use, and mirror that language to ensure communication is effective and meaningful. This approach applies to everyone involved in the interpreting encounter. By aligning my communication style with theirs, I help foster a trusting and effective interaction”.
Preserving impartiality during interpretation might seem challenging at first, but it gets easier with practice.
Rosemary recollects an interpreting assignment that truly tested her adherence to the principle of impartiality: “One time, a patient asked me for my opinion about a new physical therapist they had seen, wondering if the therapist was “good” and whether they should continue with them. I explained that I wasn’t in a position to offer an opinion on the therapist’s clinical skills. Instead, I informed the patient that I would be happy to interpret for them if they wanted to inquire about their options at the front desk. The patient was unaware that they could switch to a different therapist, so they requested my assistance in interpreting while they spoke with the front desk staff. By handling the situation this way, I believe I empowered the client to address their concerns with the appropriate people and make an informed decision about their next steps”.
Ultimately, conveying the message as faithfully as possible, while setting aside personal opinions and biases, is the only way to build trust and foster understanding among all parties involved in the communication process.
References:
- Textbook Core Medical Interpreter Training Program “Communicating Without Barriers”, National Institute for Coordinated Healthcare, 2015, pages 115-12.
- National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) Code of Ethics, https://www.ncihc.org/assets/z2021Images/NCIHC%20National%20Code%20of%20Ethics.pdf
- International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) Ethics, https://www.imiaweb.org/code/default.asp
- California Healthcare Interpreters Association (CHIA), The CHIA Standards, https://chiaonline.org/CHIA-Standards
- American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education (AAITE): National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Education, https://aaite.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/AAITE_%20CoE_Interpreters_v1.0.pdf
- National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Translators in Education, https://aaite.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/AAITE_%20CoE_Translators_v1.0.pdf
- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc, Code of Professional Conduct, https://rid.org/programs/ethics/code-of-professional-conduct/ Updates: https://www.nad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/CPC.pdf
