CODE OF ETHICAL PRACTICES AND PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS

It shall be the duty of every translator:

1. To translate with the greatest fidelity and accuracy he can command, endeavoring always to give his readers
and audiences the impression they would have if they could read or hear the original.
2. To maintain professional discretion and in particular to respect the rights of his client or employer by
divulging nothing he may have learned in his professional capacity that is harmful to their interests; and to
derive no personal profit or advantage from any confidential information he may have acquired in his
professional capacity.
3. To accept no assignment for which he knows himself to be less than well qualified in either language or
understanding of the subect, e!cept with the prior knowledge of his client or employer; and to refuse any
assignment which he believes he cannot properly complete within the time allowed.
". To share professional knowledge with his colleagues on a reciprocal basis.
#. To refrain from any action likely to discredit the profession, and in particular to abstain from engaging in
unfair competition.
$. To seek or accept no work on terms that are humiliating to him or to the profession.
%. To refuse any assignment that he believes to be intended for illegal or dishonest purposes, or against the public
interest.
&. To be loyal to his colleagues and to his profession and to agree to settle professional differences by arbitration,
whenever possible.
Every translator shall have the right:
1. To receive the same consideration and the same status as are generally accorded the members of other
professions, including prompt payment for his services.
2. To charge such professional fees as are commensurate with his e!perience, degree of speciali'ed knowledge
and quality of work, taking into account such guidelines as may lay down by his professional society.
3. To demand working conditions that will enable him to perform his services with efficiency and dignity.
". To refuse to quote a fee on a competition basis or without having seen the work to be translated.
#. To seek, by legislation or other means, the same social and fiscal benefits and ta! classifications granted to
members of other professions.
$. To enoy in the case of translations intended for publication or performance, equitable publicity of this kind
traditionally granted authors of technical, literary, and dramatic works, including mention of his name on the
title page and acket of the published translation, or in the theater program, and in the advertising of his
translation by the publisher or producer.
%. To share, in the case of commercially published or produced works, in the fortunes of his translation, and in
particular to receive a proportional share of the royalties as well as an advance payment.
&. To assist, in the case of translations intended for publication or performance, that no substantial changes be
made without his consent or, alternatively, that his name be removed as translator or adapter, without
preudice to the agreed payment.
PROFILE OF A COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATOR
The following characteristics are not necessarily e!haustive nor given in any order of priority, but illustrate
what many translators themselves believe should be considered by companies or individuals seeking
services(
1. )ives evidence of thorough knowledge of both source and target languages, as well as more*than*
average familiarity with the particular subect matter.
2. +as adequate skill and e!perience as a translator, as evidenced by work samples, letters of reference,
recommendation, published translations, and * in some cases * by a certificate of accreditation issued
by the Translators -ssociation.
3. -s a corollary to the preceding two items, proof of competence as a translator is of utmost
importance, since mere knowledge of a second language does not in itself indicate significant ability
in translating into or from that language.
". .efrains from seemingly broad or e!aggerated promotional claims about professional capabilities
and does not accept assignments beyond such capabilities.
#. /rovides full information on the nature and scope of services offered.
$. 0rings unsolved problems to the client1s attention.
%. .espect reasonable deadlines.
&. 2aintains the confidentiality of all information contained in translation assignments.
3. 4uotes fees for an assignment only after prior e!amination of the material to be translated. 5f not
feasible or practical, quotes an estimated fee based on preliminary information received, subect to
confirmation after detailed e!amination of the material.
16. 7harges professional fees commensurate with prevailing rates and in accordance with economic*
financial requirements, professional capabilities and,or speciali'ed knowledge.
11. +as access to and makes use of current reference tools, equivalent to those found in an up*to*date
professional library. -lso has the requisite equipment 8e.g., typewriter, dictation machine, etc.9 to
provide for a complete service.
12. +olds membership and actively participates in local and national professional associations.
Code of Ethics
for Interpreters and Translators
1. Professional conduct
5nterpreters and translators should( always be polite and respectful, firm and dignified
-llow nothing to influence their work, and disclose any possible conflict of interest
:nsure punctuality at all times 8and if lateness is unavoidable, advise clients immediately9
/repare appropriately for assignments and ensure they are completed
.efrain from unprofessional or dishonorable behavior
5nterpreters and translators shall not obtain any personal gain whatsoever from confidential information they
may have acquired in the e!ercise of their duties
2. Confidentiality
5nterpreters and translators shall not disclose information acquired during the course of their assignments.
5nterpreters and translators may only disclose information with the permission of their clients 8or if the law
requires disclosure9.
Translated documents remain the client1s property.
3. Competence
5nterpreters and translators shall translate only into a language which is either their mother tongue or language
of habitual use. They shall translate only from those languages in which they can demonstrate they have the
required skills.
-cceptance of an assignment is a declaration of one1s competence and constitutes a contract. 5f, during an
assignment, it becomes clear that the work is beyond the interpreter1s or translator1s competence, they should
inform clients immediately and withdraw.
5nterpreters and translators shall not accept more than one assignment for the same period of time.
4. Impartiality
5nterpreters and translators shall observe impartiality in all professional contracts. /rofessional neutrality must
be maintained at all times. 5f interpreters or translators feel their obectivity is threatened, they should
withdraw from the assignment.
5nterpreters and translators are not responsible for what clients say or write. They should not voice or write an
opinion on anything or anyone concerned with an assignment
. !ccuracy
5nterpreters and translators must(
:very translation shall be faithful to and render e!actly the message of the source te!t * this being both a moral
and legal obligation for the translator. 8- faithful translation, however, should not be confused with a literal
translation. The fidelity of a translation does not e!clude an adaptation to make the form, the mood and deeper
meaning of the work felt in another language and culture.9
not alter, add to or omit anything from the assigned work
acknowledge and promptly rectify any interpreting or translation mistakes. 5f anything is unclear, interpreters
must ask for repetition, rephrasing or e!planation. 5f interpreters have lapses of memory which lead to
inadequate interpreting, they should inform the client, ask for a pause and signal when they are ready to
continue.
ensure speech is clearly heard and understood by all present. ;here possible 8and if agreed to by all parties9,
interpreters may arrange a short general conversation with clients beforehand to ensure clear understanding by
all.
Translators shall ensure that their work will be of a high quality and, in the case of translations, shall be neatly
presented and free from typing errors. ;here feasible and appropriate, the format of the translated 8target9
language document shall reflect the format of the source document.
Translators shall carry out all work within the agreed upon deadline.
". Employment
5nterpreters and translators shall be responsible for the quality of their work, whether employed as freelance
practitioners or by interpreting and translation agencies or other employers.
Translators shall promptly inform their client of the scope, terms and conditions of the task offered to them,
and shall obtain the client1s agreement regarding them.
Translators shall inform their client of the appro!imate anticipated cost of their services.
Translators shall charge fair and reasonable fees for their professional services and take the following factors
into account when determining such fees(
8a9 their e!perience;
8b9 the time required to e!ecute the task;
8c9 the comple!ity of the task;
8d9 the purpose of the task;
8e9 the responsibility assumed;
#. Professional development
5nterpreters and translators shall continue to develop their professional knowledge and skills.
They should constantly review and re*evaluate their work performance.
They should maintain and enhance their skills by study and e!perience, and keep up to date with relevant
languages and cultures.
$. Professional solidarity
5nterpreters and translators should(
-ssist and further the interests of colleagues, refraining from comments inurious to the reputation of a
colleague before the client.
/romote and enhance the integrity of the profession through trust and mutual respect. <ifferences of opinion
should be e!pressed with respect.