Summerzzz adopts and follows the AUSIT Code of Ethics.
AUSIT Code of Ethics
The Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators Inc (AUSIT) was founded at a
meeting in Canberra in 1987, convened by the National Accreditation Authority for
Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) to establish a national association of interpreting
and translation professionals in Australia.
Central to the establishment of any profession is the codification of its practices not only
in organisational matters, but also, and crucially, in matters of professional conduct.
Adherence to a Code of Ethics represents an undertaking by the members of a
professional association that they can be relied upon to behave according to rules that
protect and respect the interests of their clients as well as those of their fellow members.
The development of the AUSIT Code of Ethics was completed in 1995, when it was
endorsed by NAATI, adopted by AUSIT at the National General Meeting and presented
to the International Federation of Translators at its World Congress in Melbourne in
1996.
In summary, the Code obliges members to:
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accept the Council decision as binding.
The development of the rules embodied in the Code has been a serious and painstaking
undertaking, but its effectiveness is attested to by the fact that, apart from the NAATI
endorsement, a number of major organisations have sought and been granted the right to
adopt and reproduce it.
Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS), Centrelink Multicultural Services, the
Refugee Review Tribunal.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Interpreters and translators shall at all times act in accordance with the standards of
conduct and decorum appropriate to the aims of AUSIT, the national professional
association of interpreting and translation practitioners.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
Interpreters and translators shall not disclose information acquired during the course of
their assignments.
3. COMPETENCE
Interpreters and translators shall undertake only work which they are competent to
perform in the language areas for which they are “accredited” or “recognised” by
NAATI.
4. IMPARTIALITY
Interpreters and translators shall observe impartiality in all professional contracts.
5. ACCURACY
Interpreters and translators shall take all reasonable care to be accurate.
6. EMPLOYMENT
Interpreters and translators shall be responsible for the quality of their work, whether as
freelance practitioners or employed practitioners of interpreting and translation agencies
and other employers.
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Interpreters and translators shall continue to develop their professional knowledge and
skills.
8. PROFESSIONAL SOLIDARITY
Interpreters and translators shall respect and support their fellow professionals.
CODE OF PRACTICE
Annotations to General Principles of Code of Ethics
1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
a)
i.
ii.
working with them.
iii.
times.
iv.
under which they work facilitate rather than hinder communication.
v.
b)
i.
or influence their work.
ii.
[Cf. 6.
iii.
iv.
times.
v.
c)
i.
emergencies advise clients promptly.
ii
translating and interpreting (T&I) assignments.
iii.
they have accepted.
d)
Interpreters and translators shall refrain from behaviour which their colleagues
would reasonably regard as unprofessional or dishonourable.
e)
i.
and translating colleagues in a cooperative, constructive and professional manner.
ii.
members to the Executive Committee of their professional association and the
conclusive direction of the Executive Committee shall be binding on members,
with the provision of appeal or review in the interests of natural justice.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
a)
i.
confidential.
ii.
disclosure is mandated by law.
iii.
necessary to brief other interpreters or translators who are members of the team
involved in the assignment.
confidentiality extends to all members of the team and/or agency.
iv.
clients and their legal representatives is protected under the common law rule of
legal professional privilege.
v.
translating colleagues without permission from their client.
vi.
be shown or released to a third party without the express permission of the client,
or by order of a court of law.
3. COMPETENCE
a)
i.
assignments which they are competent to perform.
ii.
interpreter’s or translator’s competence and constitutes a contract (oral or written).
iii.
and direction in the languages for which they are accredited or recognised.
iv.
between NAATI “Accreditation” and “Recognition”.
b)
In the course of an assignment, if it becomes apparent to interpreters and
translators that expertise beyond their competence is required, they shall inform
the clients immediately and offer to withdraw from the assignment.
c)
Interpreters and translators shall ascertain beforehand what will be required of
them in a projected assignment, and then make the necessary preparation.
d)
Any alterations made to interpreting and translation work, as a result of a second
opinion and/or review by other interpreters or translators, shall be agreed upon by
consultation between the interpreters and translators concerned.
4. IMPARTIALITY
a)
i.
process, substance or material matters in which they have a personal or financial
interest, without fully disclosing this interest to the clients.
ii.
assignments for relatives or friends, and those affecting their employers.
iii.
in which impartiality may be difficult to maintain because of personal beliefs or
circumstances.
b)
i.
in all situations.
ii.
assignment.
c)
i.
ii.
unsolicited, on any matter or person in relation to an assignment.
iii
interpreter or translator shall notify all parties and give the first party opportunity
to claim exclusive right to the requested interpreting or translation service.
5. ACCURACY
a)
i.
meeting, interpreters shall relay accurately and completely everything that is said.
ii.
as well as non-verbal clues.
iii.
these accurately as presented.
iv.
their assigned work.
b)
i.
and translation mistakes.
ii.
rephrasing or explanation.
iii.
pause, then signal to continue.
c)
i.
present.
ii.
to ensure interpreter and clients clearly understand each other’s speech.
iii.
d)
Translators shall provide certification, if requested by their clients, that their
translation is true and accurate so far as they know.
translator’s name, details of NAATI accreditation/recognition, language and
language direction, and be signed and dated.
6.
a)
i.
as independent (freelance) professionals, or under contract to a commercial or
government agency.
ii.
by the AUSIT Code of Ethics.
iii.
interpreters and translators shall abide by the Code of Ethics and, if necessary,
withdraw from the assignment.
b)
i.
information on ranges of rates charged by members.
ii.
commissions or the like from any person, firm, corporation or government
agency, including another interpreter or translator, in connection with
recommending to a client any person, business agency, substance, material
matters, process or service.
iii.
However, some discretionary latitude may be exercised in accepting a gift as a
token of gratitude, as this is obligatory in certain client cultures.
c)
i.
clients by assistants or sub-contractors employed by the interpreters or translators.
ii.
interpreting and translation agency shall exercise the same diligence as in all
professional contexts in the performance of their duties.
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
a)
i.
performance to maintain acceptable standards.
ii.
language skills by pursuing further relevant study and experience.
iii.
cultures for which they offer professional interpreting and translation expertise.
i.
interpreting and translating skills.
b)
ii.
professional development of their colleagues.
8. PROFESSIONAL SOLIDARITY
a)
i.
and their colleagues and offer each other reasonable assistance as required.
ii.
reputation of a colleague.
b)
i.
profession by fostering trust and mutual respect between colleagues.
ii.
candour and respect, rather than by denigration.