Tightrope-walking on the Moral High Wire: Ethical Decision-Making in Conference and Escort Interpreting

Abstract

Effective communication facilitated by a skilled interpreter offers great opportunities for creating a nexus between two strangers who may become friends even in the arena of conflict resolution. To an effective interpreter, in the arena of crisis intervention, ethical issues are involved. These are related both to the quality of the interpretation services provided and to our relations with clients and translation companies before, during and after the respective assignment.

Each professional association, including professional associations of conference interpreters, has published a Code of Ethics serving as a framework of fundamental principles. It is obvious that no code, no regulation could possible provide specific guidance in all situations, nor would that be necessary. Similar to translation theory that relies on our critical thinking and problem solving abilities in its application to specific translation cases, our own best judgment and discretion is always preferred in the context of conference and escort interpreting.