“I swear to be a loyal member of the translator’s profession, respecting its history. I am willing to share my expertise with colleagues and to pass it on to trainee translators. I will not work for unreasonable fees. I will always translate to the best of my ability” (Chesterman, 2001)
Chesterman, A. (2001). Proposal for a Hieronymic Oath. The Translator, 7(2), 139-154.
The RBSLI Code of Practice
The purpose of the Code
This Code brings together the standards and requirements in practice, ethics and conduct. The code is for professional interpreters and translators to ensure that high standards are consistently maintained amongst its registrants. It explains what is expected from you, the registrant, during your practice. Complaints can be made where it is believed a registrant is potentially in breach of the RBSLI Code of Practice.
Practitioners’ responsibility
This practice promotes professional responsibility with a focus on practitioners making ethical decisions whilst facilitating communication. This requires adapting your mode of interpreting appropriately to the situation.
Interpreters have a responsibility to maintain confidentiality except where there is a legal obligation for them to disclose suspected concerns regarding abuse or potential harm (safeguarding). Disclosures should be managed in a responsible way that respects cultural differences.
Promoting best practice
The following, together with professional values promotes effective communication and upholds the best qualities of the profession.
Ethical considerations
Ethics focuses on what qualified/trainee interpreters/translators do in their professional practice. The code aims to produce effective outcomes to promote successful communication for all parties. Initial RBSLI applicants are required to affirm each of the six tenets that make up the Code of Ethics Practice, to become RBSLI Registered.
Six tenets of the Code
Registrants affirm that they will endeavour to achieve a successful interpretation during their transactional actions. To this end they will:
1. Ensure that negative interpreting outcomes, resulting in the principals suffering harm, are avoided.
2. Ensure that the discourse between the principals is clear and cohesive.
3. Ensure that acceptable target language is rendered situationally relevant and with appropriate cultural equivalence as necessary.
4. Ensure that they will accurately reflect the core meaning and intent of the principals involved.
5. Ensure that they further their own skills and knowledge to provide the best opportunities for successful interpreting actions by adhering to CPD requirements.
6. Ensure that they always uphold the reputation of the profession and support fellow professionals.
RBSLI encourages a supportive culture amongst its registrants, the Deaf community and other professionals.