The Three P’s in Interpreting:Professionalism, Process &

PresenceSusanne Morgan Morrow

Lauren Ridloff

CEUs: .15 PS

Professional Development Series

Series overviewA three-part series on issues that affect interpreters on a daily basis throughout their career. Webinar #1: The Professional Code of ConductWebinar #2: The Process of Deciding Webinar #3: The Professional Presence

Webinar #1: The Code of Professional Conduct

OverviewNAD-RID historyThe Code of Professional ConductThe 7 TenentsApplicabilityWhy a Code of Conduct?

Moratorium on Certification

NAD-RID History● NAD/RID combined effort formed the

National Council on Interpreting (NCI) to create the National Interpreter Certification (NIC)

● Process started in 2002● This test replaces previous generalist

exam

RID Code of Professional Conduct● Applicability:

○ Applies to all certified & associate members of RID & NAD plus interns and students

○ It also applies to those certified with RID recognized EIPA certification

○ Federal, state or other statutes may supersede this Code. Interpreter must obey the rule of law.

○ The Code applies to face-to-face or remote interpreting services

● Broken down into Tenet, Guiding Principle & Illustrative Behavior

The History of the CPC• Established in 1964• Hippocratic Oath - “first do no harm”• Initial code was religious-affected by the level and type of volunteerism then• Major revision in 1965 to 12 articles

–Imposing confidentiality, neutralizing the religious aspects

Personal Ethics

Global Ethics

Professional Ethics

Personal Ethics

Profes-sional Ethics

Identifying the moral context of a dilemma is the first step.

Why a professional code

of conduct?

A Professional Code of Conduct notes the

difference between a profession & a trade –

professionals must abide by a code of ethics

Professional codes of conduct often have common themes that can include:

●Impartiality, objectivity●Openness, full disclosure●Confidentiality●Due diligence, duty of care●Fidelity to professional responsibilities●Avoiding real or perceived conflicts of interest●Social responsibility—for the good of society

Underlying PhilosophyThe basis of the CPC:

Recognition of the Deaf American community’s inalienable right to full and equal communication and to participation in all aspects of society.

Purpose of the PCCTo establish

guidelines that allows a framework

for appropriate behavior

Role clarification

Rights are protected

Consistency

Structure of the PCC7 tenetsEach tenet has a guiding principle and illustrative behavior

the guiding principle provides the rationale behind the tenent

illustrative behavior(s) give specific, tangible actions relevant to the tenent

RID Professional Code of Conduct

1.0 Confidentiality2.0 Professionalism3.0 Conduct4.0 Respect for Consumers5.0 Respect for Colleagues6.0 Business Practices7.0 Professional Development

1.0 ConfidentialityTenet: Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.

1.0 Confidentiality

Instill trust as linguistic/cultural facilitatorHighly valued by consumersConfidentiality protects all involved

Guiding Principle

1.0 Confidentiality• Each interpreting situation has its own standard of

confidentiality.

• Know the general expectations of different levels of confidentiality

• Exceptions include responding to state/federal laws

My “One Cent”

●Transparency○ Not to be confused with lack of

confidentiality

●Social Media○ Tricky situations

2.0 ProfessionalismTenet: Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation

2.0 Professionalism

Guiding Principle

•Stay current in interpreting practices and evolving issues/trends in the Deaf community

•Accept assignments with communication mode, setting, skill and needs in mind

Oops! I overshot!

●Be truthful about your professional abilities

●Top interpreters are honest

3.0 ConductTenet: Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation

3.0 Conduct

Guiding Principle

•Appropriate demeanor and attire

•Avoid conflict of role or interest

What is

appropriate???

Lady Gaga Says: Don’t be me!!

Be yourself• Do whatever it takes to keep

the focus on the consumers• Individuality is appreciated, just

tone it down• Got tattoos? Interesting

piercings? • College story

4.0 Respect for ConsumersTenet:

Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers

4.0 Respect for Consumers

Guiding Principle

•Recognize consumer preferences and strive to deliver

•Reflect and acknowledge own qualities, availability and situation

Community Perspective:

What does RESPECT mean to you?

● Promptness

● Time set aside for the consumer

● Identify yourself immediately

5.0 Respect for ColleaguesTenet:

Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns and students of the profession

5.0 Respect for Colleagues

Guiding Principle

•Collaborate to foster delivery of service

•Awareness of how interaction with colleague reflects upon profession as a whole

Consumers LOVE effective collaboration

Awkward for the consumer to see poor collaboration

How do we

respect our

colleagues?

6.0 Business PracticesTenet:

Interpreters maintain ethical business practices

6.0 Business PracticesGuiding Principle•Conduct business in a professional manner (either private or in the employ of an agency)

•Entitled to living wage based on qualifications and expertise

•Entitled to working conditions conducive to effective interpretation

Give Back• Meet Blake

Mycoskie

7.0 Professional DevelopmentTenet:

Interpreters engage in professional development

7.0 Professional Development

Guiding Principle

•Maintain interpreting competence and uphold the profession through ongoing development of knowledge and skills.

• participate in PD that is both interesting and not interesting to you

• participate in PD that is outside of the realm of interpreting to expand your global knowledge

• stay abreast of current trends in the field & in the news

• participate in your local interpreting chapter• attend local, regional and national

conferences• network with colleagues & support

interpreting students & recent graduates

What does

PD mean?

“Ethical dilemmas often occur when it

is a right vs. right

scenario.”-Debbie Olsen

Right vs. Right

Story:

“Oh, I don’t have a pen…”

Right vs. RightStory:

“In the delivery room”

Further Readings NAD-RID Professional Code of Conducthttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-_HBAap35D1R1MwYk9hTUpuc3M/view

RID’s Ethical Practices Systemhttp://www.rid.org/ethics/

Exploring Ethics: A Case for Revising the Code of Ethics by Dennis Cokely http://www.interpretereducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Exploring-Ethics.pdf

Sign Language Interpreters & the Future of Ethical Practice by Matthew O’Harahttp://www.streetleverage.com/2013/09/sign-language-interpreters-and-the-future-of-ethical-practice/

Self-Paced Modules for Educational Interpreter Skill Development: Ethics & Rolehttps://docs.google.com/gview?url=http://www.interpretereducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/MRID-Self-Paced-Manuals-Ethics-and-Role.pdf

Professional Development Series

Evaluation: http://bit.ly/Webinar1Eval

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