The interpreters are doing the right thing. The Deaf client have the right to say yes or no because it is the Deaf person's class or meeting, not anyone else's! As for the interpreters, they are following the Interpreter's Code of Ethics. The Deaf client comes first no matter what. The school and the mother are stupid for not being considerate to the Deaf client! Also, other people have no right to ask the interpreter for permission to shadow. It MUST be done through the Interpreter Training Program as their coordinator should have some opportunities to give you to shadow some interpreting duties. It is more ethical and more polite.
You should check your state's Interpreter homepage and see what code of ethics they have listed. Here is Utah's Code of Ethics:
Utah Code of Ethics for All Interpreters
1. Interpreters/transliterators shall keep all assignment-related information strictly confidential.
Guidelines: Interpreters/transliterators shall not reveal information about any assignment, including the fact that the service is being performed.
Even seemingly unimportant information could be damaging in the wrong hands. Therefore, to avoid this possibility, interpreters/transliterators must not say anything about any assignment. In cases where meetings or information become a matter of public record, the interpreter/transliterator should first discuss it with the person involved. If no solution can be reached, then both should agree on a third person who could advise them.
When training new trainees by method of sharing actual experiences, the trainers shall not reveal any of the following information:
name, sex, age, etc., of the consumer
day of the week, time of the day, and time of the year the situation took place
location, including city, state or agency
other people involved unnecessary specifics about the situation
It takes only a minimum amount of information to identify the parties involved.
2. Interpreters/transliterators shall render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker using language most readily understood by the person(s) whom they serve.
Guidelines: Interpreters/transliterators are not editors and must transmit everything that is said in exactly the same way it was intended. This is especially difficult when the interpreter disagrees with what is being said or feels uncomfortable when profanity is being used. Interpreters/transliterators must remember that they are not at all responsible for what is said, only for conveying it accurately. If the interpreter's/transliterator's own feelings interfere with rendering the message accurately, he/she shall withdraw from the situation.
While working from spoken English to sign or nonaudible spoken English, the interpreter/transliterator should communicate in the manner most easily understood or preferred by the d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing person(s), be it American Sign Language, manually coded English, fingerspelling, paraphrasing in nonaudible spoken English, gesturing, drawing, or writing. It is important for the interpreter/transliterator and d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing person(s) to spend some time adjusting to each other's way of communicating prior to the actual assignment. When working from sign or nonaudible English, the interpreter/transliterator shall speak the language used by the hearing person in spoken form, be it English, Spanish, French, etc.
3. Interpreters/transliterators shall not counsel, advise or interject personal opinions.
Guidelines: Just as interpreters/transliterators may not omit anything that is said, they may not add anything that is said, they may not add anything to the situation, even when they are asked to do so by other parties involved.
An interpreter/transliterator is only present in a given situation because two or more people have difficulty communicating, and thus the interpreter's/transliterator's only function is to facilitate communication. He/she shall not become personally involved because in so doing, he/she accepts some responsibility for the outcome, which does not rightly belong to the interpreter/transliterator.
4. Interpreters/transliterators shall accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting, and the consumers involved.
Guidelines: Interpreters/transliterators shall only accept assignments for which they are qualified. However, when an interpreter/transliterator shortage exists and the only available interpreter/ transliterator does not possess the necessary skill for a particular assignment, this situation should be explained to the consumer. If the consumer agrees that services are needed regardless of skill level, then the available interpreter/transliterator will have to use his/her best judgment about accepting or rejecting the assignment.
Certain situations, due to content, consumer involvement, the setting or other reasons, may prove so uncomfortable for some interpreters/transliterators and/or consumers that the facilitating task is adversely affected. An interpreter/transliterator shall not accept assignments which he/she knows will be adversely affected.
Interpreters/transliterators shall generally refrain from providing services in situations where family members or close personal or professional relationships may affect impartiality, since it is difficult to mask inner feelings. Under these circumstances, especially in legal settings, the ability to prove oneself unbiased when challenged is lessened. In emergency situations, it is realized that the interpreter/transliterator may have to provide services for family members, friends, or close business associates. However, all parties should be informed that the interpreter/transliterator may not become personally involved in the proceedings.
5. Interpreters/transliterators shall request compensation for services in a professional and judicious manner.
Guidelines: Interpreters/transliterators shall be knowledgeable about fees that are appropriate to the profession, and be informed about the current suggested fee schedule of the national organization. A sliding scale of hourly and daily rates has been established for interpreters/transliterators in many areas. To determine the appropriate fee, interpreters/transliterators should know their own level of skill, level of certification, length of experience, nature of the assignment, and local cost of living index.
There are circumstances when it is appropriate for interpreters/transliterators to provide services without charge. This should be done with discretion, taking care to preserve the self?respect of the consumers. Consumers should not feel that they are recipients of charity. When providing gratis services, care should be taken so that the livelihood of other interpreters/transliterators will be protected. A freelance interpreter/transliterator may depend on this work for a living and, therefore, must charge for services rendered, while persons with other full?time work may perform the service as a favor without feeling a loss of income.
6. Interpreters/transliterators shall function in a manner appropriate to the situation.
Guidelines: Interpreters/transliterators shall conduct themselves in such a manner that brings respect to themselves, the consumers, and the national organization. The term appropriate manner refers to: (a) dressing in a manner that is appropriate for the skin tone and is not distracting and (b) conducting oneself in all phases of an assignment in a manner befitting a professional.
7. Interpreters/transliterators shall strive to further knowledge and skills through participation in workshops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the field.
8. Interpreters/transliterators shall strive to maintain high professional standards in compliance with the Utah Code of Ethics.
© 2002 Utah Interpreter Program
