Interpreters are crucial in bridging language barriers and facilitating communication in diverse contexts such as legal proceedings, medical consultations, and international business negotiations. Their work is not simply about translating words from one language to another but ensuring that the intent and nuances of the original message are preserved. This demanding role has significant ethical responsibilities, particularly concerning confidentiality and impartiality. Navigating these principles appropriately is essential, especially to maintain client trust in an interpreter’s quality, integrity, and professionalism.

The Importance of Confidentiality and Impartiality

Maintaining Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of professional ethics for interpreters. It involves keeping all information acquired during the interpreting assignment private and secure. You would expect the same level of security from a doctor, lawyer, or therapist, where the information exchanged can be personal, confidential, or even classified.

Challenges to Confidentiality

While the importance of confidentiality is evident, there are some challenges interpreters face:

• Accidental Disclosure: Sometimes, information slips out unintentionally. This could be due to forgetting something or accidentally discussing a case with someone else.
• Technological Threats: Information security is a significant concern in the digital age. Interpreters who handle electronic records or participate in virtual meetings must be extra cautious about data breaches or unauthorized access.
• Pressure to Disclose: In some situations, authorities or third parties might pressure interpreters to reveal confidential information. Knowing how to navigate these situations and tactfully refuse to disclose sensitive details is crucial.

Consider a court interpreter who learns that a defendant plans to flee the country. The interpreter's duty to confidentiality conflicts with the potential harm that could arise from the defendant's actions. By using the ethical decision-making framework, the interpreter can weigh the severity of the threat, the potential impact on the legal process, and the ethical guidelines of their profession. Consulting with legal advisors and professional bodies can provide additional clarity. Ultimately, the interpreter must balance their ethical obligations with the broader implications of their actions.

Maintaining Impartiality

Impartiality is another critical ethical principle for interpreters. It requires them to remain neutral, refraining from inserting their opinions or biases into the interpretation. This neutrality is vital to ensure that the communication is accurate and unbiased, allowing the parties involved to make informed decisions based on the actual content of the conversation.

Challenges to Impartiality

Several challenges can threaten an interpreter's impartiality. Personal biases, emotional responses, and external pressures can sneak in like uninvited guests at a party. For instance, in a court setting, an interpreter may unconsciously sympathize with a victim or a defendant, which could affect the accuracy and tone of their interpretation. 

Ensuring Quality Interpretation

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the role of interpreters will only grow in importance. Maintaining rigorous ethical standards ensures interpreters can effectively and ethically bridge language barriers in various contexts.

TransPerfect has been working with interpreters globally for over 30 years, with a network of over 1,500 interpretation professionals who maintain confidentiality and impartiality. They do this by utilizing TransPerfect’s proprietary GlobalLink Live software to ensure encryption and security and limit accidental disclosure.

GlobalLink Live has encryptions for notes and correspondence, ensuring that shared information is only viewed by authorized parties, as trust takes a long time to build and a moment to break.

To learn more about TransPerfect Interpretation’s services and systems that ensure confidentiality and quality, please visit www.transperfect.com/solutions/translation-and-language-services/interpretation. Request a free quote at www.transperfect.com/request-quote.