Registry of Interpreters
for the Deaf
Code of Ethics
©1995 RID, Inc.
Interpreter/Transliterator shall keep all assignment-related information strictly confidential.
Guidelines:
Interpreter/transliterators shall not reveal information about any assignment, including the fact that the service is being performed.
Even seemingly unimportant information could be damaging in the wrong hands. Therefore, to avoid this possibility, interpreter/transliterators must not say anything about any assignment. In cases where meetings or information becomes a matter of public record, the interpreter/transliterator shall use discretion in discussing such meetings or information.
If a problem arises between the interpreter/transliterator and either person involved in an assignment, the interpreter/transliterator should first discuss it with the person involved. If no solution can be reached then both should agree on a third person who could advise them.
When training new trainees by the method of sharing actual experiences, the trainers shall not reveal any of the following information:
Name, sex, age, etc., of the consumer,-
Day of the week, time of the day, time of the year the situation took place;
Location, including city, state, or agency;
Other people involved;
Unnecessary specifics about the situation.
It only takes a minimum amount of information to identify the parties involved.
Interpreter/Transliterators shall render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker, using language most readily understood by the personjs) whom they serve.
Guidelines:
Interpreter/transliterators are not editors and must transmit everything that is said in exactly the same way it was intended. This is especially difficult when the interpreter disagrees with what is being said or feels uncomfortable when profanity is being used. Interpreter/transliterators must remember that they are not at all responsible for what is said, only for conveying it accurately. If the interpreter/transliterator’s own feelings interfere with rendering the message accurately, he/she shall withdraw from the situation.
While working from Spoken English to Sign or Non-audible Spoken English, the interpreter/transliterator should communicate in the manner most easily understood or preferred by the deaf or hard of hearing personjs), be it American Sign Language, Manually Coded English, fingerspelling, paraphrasing in Non-audible Spoken English, gesturing, drawing, or writing, etc. It is important for the interpreter/transliterator and deaf or hard of hearing person(s) to spend some time adjusting to each other’s way of communicating prior to the actual assignment. When working from Sign or Non-audible Spoken English, the interpreter/transliterator shall speak the language used by the hearing person in spoken form, be it English, Spanish, French, etc.
Interpreter/Transliterators shall not counsel, advise, or interject personal opinions.
Guidelines:
Just as interpreter/transliterators may not omit anything which is said, they may not add anything to the situation, even when they are asked to do so by other parties involved.
An interpreter/transliterator is only present in a given situation because two or more people have difficulty communicating, and, thus, the interpreter/transliterator’s only function is to facilitate communication. He/she shall not become personally involved because in so doing he/she accepts some responsibility for the outcome, which does not rightly belong to the interpreter/transliterator.
Interpreter/Transliterators shall accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting, and the consumers involved.
Guidelines:
Interpreter/transliterators shall only accept assignments for which they are qualified. However, when an interpreter/transliterator shortage exists and the only available interpreter/transliterator does not possess the necessary skill for a particular assignment, this situation should be explained to the consumer. If the consumers agree that services are needed regardless of skill level, then the available interpreter/transliterator will have to use his/her best judgment about accepting or rejecting the assignment.
Certain situations may prove uncomfortable for some interpreter/transliterators and consumers. Religious, political, racial, or sexual difference, etc., can adversely affect the facilitating task. Therefore, an interpreter/transliterator shall not accept assignments which he/she knows will involve such situations.
Interpreter/transliterators shall generally refrain from providing services in situations where family members, or close personal or professional relationships may affect impartiality, since it is difficult to mask inner feelings. Under these circumstances, especially in legal settings, the ability to prove oneself unbiased when challenged is lessened. In emergency situations, it is realized that the interpreter/transliterator may have to provide services for family members, friends, or close business associates. However, all parties should be informed that the inteRpreter/transliterator may not become personally involved in the proceedings.
Interpreters/Transliterators shall request compensation for services in a professional and judicious manner.
Guidelines:
Interpreter/transliterators shall be knowledgeable about fees which are appropriate to the profession, and be informed about the current suggested fee schedule of the national organization. A sliding scale of hourly and daily rates has been established for interpreter/transliterators in many areas. To determine the appropriate fee, interpreter/transliterators should know their own level of skill, level of certification, length of experience, nature of the assignment, and the local cost of living index.
There are circumstances when it is appropriate for interpreter/transliterators to provide services without charge. This should be done with discretion, talking care to preserve the self-respect of the consumer. Consumers should not feel that they are recipients of charity. When providing gratis services, care should be taken so that the livelihood of other interpreter/transliterators will be protected. A freelance interpreter/transliterator may depend on this work for a living and, therefore, must charge for services rendered, while persons with other full-time work may perform the service as a favor without feeling a loss of income.
Interpreter/Transliterators shall function in a manner appropriate to the situation.
Guidelines:
Interpreter/transliterators shall conduct themselves in such a manner that brings respect to themselves, the consumers and the national organization. The term “appropriate manner” refers to:
a)dressing in a manner that is appropriate for skin tone and is not distracting;
b)conducting oneself in all phases of an assignment in a manner befitting a professional
Interpreter/Transliterators shall strive to further knowledge and skills through participation in workshops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues and reading of current literature in the field.
Interpreter/Transliterators, by virtue of membership or certification by the
R.I.D., Inc., shall strive to maintain high professional standards in
compliance with the code of ethics.