Seattle Central Community College                       Health and Human Services

Interpreting Training Program                                  Ethics in Interpreting

 

Outline of Research Paper Requirements

 

I. You are to choose an interpreting field: Legal, medical, educational, mental health, religious, oral transliteration, interpreting for the deaf-blind, freelance, team interpreting or stage and screen.

 

II. Research and summarize the expectations, issues and requirements of this field. A good website to check into regarding this is: http://www.rid.org/spp.html

Be sure to include how it relates to the 7 tenets of the RID Code of Ethics such as professional responsibility and expectations, business practices and billing etc.

 

III. Interview three working interpreters in the field you have chosen for your research. They must have had at least 3 years of experience in that field. The more experience, the better.

The following questions (see next page) must be included in your interview. Additional pertinent questions may be asked of those you interviewed. Be sure not to use actual names. You may call them Interviewee A, B & C or create a name for each. However, you must include sufficient background information i.e., For an interview with an educational interpreter: Interviewee A: Background information: in this field for 4.5 years; focus is on 3-5th grades (elementary education) in a school district with a total of 45 deaf students in K-5th grades; there are 5 other interpreters employed at this school etc.

 

IV. Include in your paper a summary of your findings, your perspective and thoughts based on what we have learned and discussed in class.

 

V. Your 3-4 pages paper must be typed double spaced MLA format, include an abstract, an outline and a reference list.

 

VI. Due date for submission of this research paper: Friday, February 27.

 

Some good websites to check for your research on Interpreting Issues:

1. How to seek information/research: http://library.gallaudet.edu/dr/guid-interpret-deaf.html
2. David Bar Tzur’s website: http://www.theinterpretersfriend.com/pd/jo.html
3. Team Interpreting Issues: http://www.theinterpretersfriend.com/pd/jo.html
4. Interpreter Legislation: http://www.theinterpretersfriend.com/pd/jo.html
5. Resources:  http://asl_interpreting.tripod.com/
6. Situational Studies: http://asl_interpreting.tripod.com/situational_studies/index.htm
7. Florida laws related to interpreting: http://www.aslinfo.com/flalaws.cfm

 

B. Aron 2008                                                                                                               1

Ethics in Interpreting Research Project

 

Questions to Include in Your Interview:

 

  1. How long have you worked in this field?

 

  1. What is your background and training and/or additional experience that you find helpful in your work in this field?

 

  1. What additional training and/or areas of focus do you think is necessary in this field?

 

  1. Is there a need for interpreters in this field?

 

  1. What kind of character traits would be helpful for an interpreter to work in this field?

 

  1. What are the work conditions of your job like? i.e., length of time you are required to interpret, any benefits, whose responsibility is it to withhold tax?  Is there payment for portal to portal travel? Are there professional development opportunities, who pays for it? etc

 

  1. What is the average pay rate for interpreters in this field?

 

  1. What do you enjoy the most about your job? The least and why?

 

  1. How closely do you follow the RID Code of Professional Conduct?

 

  1. Which tenet do you find yourself learning how to be more flexible?

 

  1. When confronted with a sticky situation, what do you usually do; who do you go to for advice? How do you handle confidentiality in these situations?

 

  1. What kind of support system do you have? What do you do to help you handle the stresses of your job?

 

  1. If you had a chance to start anew, would you still choose to become an interpreter?

 

  1.  Are you a member of RID; Do you have interpreting certification? Are these beneficial to you in your job?

 

  1. Any words of wisdom or advice you can give me?