ausit ethics_tassie

8/7/2019 AUSIT ETHICS_TASSIE

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Some DefinitionsSome Definitions Before WeBefore WeTake OffTake Off


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ETHICSETHICS -- (via Latin(via Latin ethicaethica fromfrom

the Ancient Greekthe Ancient Greek [[] "moral philosophy",] "moral philosophy",from the adjective offrom the adjective of

thosthos "custom, habit"), a major"custom, habit"), a majorbranch of philosophy,branch of philosophy,encompasses right conduct andencompasses right conduct andgood life.good life.

Systematizing, defending, andSystematizing, defending, andrecommendingrecommending concepts of rightconcepts of rightand wrong behaviorand wrong behavior


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More than justMore than just than analyzing right andthan analyzing right andwrong.wrong.

Central issue = "the good life = the lifeCentral issue = "the good life = the lifeworth livingworth living

A life worth living is one that has foundA life worth living is one that has foundthe the greatest good.greatest good.

Main Mantra: Main Mantra: primum non nocereprimum non nocere firstly do no harmfirstly do no harm..


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ETHICS are relative toETHICS are relative to

-- social circumstancessocial circumstances

-- culturescultures-- historical situationshistorical situations

-- personal and religious moral beliefspersonal and religious moral beliefs

-- personal circumstancespersonal circumstances


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Some acts can be ethical but illegal, andSome acts can be ethical but illegal, andothers can be unethical but legal.others can be unethical but legal.

Same applies to morality.Same applies to morality. So what guides us?So what guides us?


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TYPES OF ETHICSTYPES OF ETHICS

MetaethicsMetaethics: where our ethical principles come: where our ethical principles comefrom, and what they mean. Are they merelyfrom, and what they mean. Are they merelysocial inventions?social inventions?

Normative ethicsNormative ethics:: defining moral standards thatdefining moral standards thatregulaterightand wrong conduct. Thismayregulaterightand wrong conduct. Thismayinvolvearticulating the good habitsthatweinvolvearticulating the good habitsthatweshould acquire, the dutiesthatweshould follow,should acquire, the dutiesthatweshould follow,

orthe consequencesofourbehavioron others.orthe consequencesofourbehavioron others. Applied ethicsApplied ethics: examinesspecific controversial: examinesspecific controversial

issues(e.g. abortion, animal rights,issues(e.g. abortion, animal rights,environmental concerns, capital punishment)environmental concerns, capital punishment)


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Ethics or professional conduct?Ethics or professional conduct?

EthicsEthics: Personal? Going further than: Personal? Going further thanstandards? Implicit? Open tostandards? Implicit? Open tomisunderstandingmisunderstanding

Professional conductProfessional conduct: meeting defined: meeting definedstandardsagreed by all partiesin advancestandardsagreed by all partiesin advanceand usually made publicand usually made public


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APPLIED ETHICSAPPLIED ETHICS -- a discipline of philosophy thata discipline of philosophy thatattempts to apply ethical theory to realattempts to apply ethical theory to real--life situations.life situations.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICSPROFESSIONAL ETHICS -- concerns the moral issues thatconcerns the moral issues thatarise because of the specialist knowledge thatarise because of the specialist knowledge thatprofessionals attain, and how the use of this knowledgeprofessionals attain, and how the use of this knowledge

should be governed when providing a service to theshould be governed when providing a service to thepublicpublic

Codes of ConductCodes of Conduct


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AA code of conductcode of conduct is a set ofis a set ofrulesrules outliningoutliningthe responsibilities of or proper practices for anthe responsibilities of or proper practices for anindividual or organization.individual or organization.

Principles,values,standards,orrulesofPrinciples,values,standards,orrulesofbehaviorthatguidethedecisions,proceduresbehaviorthatguidethedecisions,proceduresandsystemsofanorganizationinawaythatandsystemsofanorganizationinawaythat

contributestothe welfareofitskeycontributestothe welfareofitskeystakeholders,andstakeholders,and

(b) respectstherightsofallconstituents(b) respectstherightsofallconstituentsaffectedbyitsoperations.affectedbyitsoperations.

IFA, 2007IFA, 2007


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In the context of a code adopted byIn the context of a code adopted bya profession or by a governmentala profession or by a governmentalor quasior quasi--governmental organ togovernmental organ toregulate that profession, an ethicalregulate that profession, an ethicalcode may be acode may be a code of professionalcode of professionalresponsibilityresponsibility, which may dispense, which may dispense

with difficult issues of whatwith difficult issues of whatbehavior is "ethical".behavior is "ethical".


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promulgated by quasipromulgated by quasi--governmental agencygovernmental agencyresponsible for licensing a profession, withresponsible for licensing a profession, withviolations of these codes subject toviolations of these codes subject toadministrative (e.g. loss of license), civil oradministrative (e.g. loss of license), civil or

penal remedies (eg. Law Society, MIA, AMA)penal remedies (eg. Law Society, MIA, AMA) enforced by the promulgating organizationenforced by the promulgating organization

alone; violations of these codes are usuallyalone; violations of these codes are usuallylimited to loss of membership in thelimited to loss of membership in the

organization (eg. AUSIT)organization (eg. AUSIT) merely advisory and there are no prescribedmerely advisory and there are no prescribed

remedies for violations or even procedures forremedies for violations or even procedures fordetermining whether a violation even occurreddetermining whether a violation even occurred(eg.(eg.


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Professional EthicsProfessional Ethics and Usand Us


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DEFINITION?DEFINITION?

A set of principles to guide you to carry outA set of principles to guide you to carry out

all of your professional duties fully and toall of your professional duties fully and tothe best of your ability.the best of your ability.


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LINGUISTICCOMPETENCE?LINGUISTICCOMPETENCE?

Generally into A languageGenerally into A language Educated native speaker mastery of TLEducated native speaker mastery of TL

(ATA)(ATA)

Advanced & idiomatic command ofAdvanced & idiomatic command oflanguages concerned (IoL)languages concerned (IoL)

Sound knowledge of SL, mastery of TLSound knowledge of SL, mastery of TL

(FIT)(FIT)


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DOINGTHE WORK?DOINGTHE WORK?

Refuse to give text an interpretation ofRefuse to give text an interpretation ofwhich he/she does not approvewhich he/she does not approve

Translation to be faithful and renderTranslation to be faithful and renderexactly the idea and form of the originalexactly the idea and form of the original

Faithful translation should not be confusedFaithful translation should not be confusedwith a literal translation, culturalwith a literal translation, culturaladaptation may be neededadaptation may be needed

(FIT)(FIT)


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WHICH MEANS WHAT?WHICH MEANS WHAT? FaithfulFaithful

Meaning, register, and formMeaning, register, and form

butbut

Not literalNot literal Culturally appropriateCulturally appropriate

High qualityHigh qualitylinguistically/stylisticallylinguistically/stylistically

Because you need toBecause you need to Satisfy needs of end usersSatisfy needs of end users

But not to extent of reinterpretingBut not to extent of reinterpreting

And no alterations, additions, orAnd no alterations, additions, oromissionsomissions


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It is logically impossible to be professionalIt is logically impossible to be professionalin ones work and unethical at the samein ones work and unethical at the sametime.time.

UNETHICAL = UNPROFESSIONALUNETHICAL = UNPROFESSIONAL


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AUSIT CODE OF ETHICS addresses 8AUSIT CODE OF ETHICS addresses 8aspects of our profession:aspects of our profession:

Professional ConductP

rofessional Conduct ConfidentialityConfidentiality

CompetenceCompetence

ImpartialityImpartiality AccuracyAccuracy

EmploymentEmployment

Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development


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BreachingBreaching any of these means youany of these means you

have actedhave acted unethicallyunethically.... but only if you did thatbut only if you did thatpurposefullypurposefully

andand consciouslyconsciously....

Acting ethically takes a lot ofActing ethically takes a lot ofintrospectionintrospection andand truthfulnesstruthfulness withwithoneselfoneself

It is about making theIt is about making theRIGHTRIGHTCHOICESCHOICES RIGHT for all those involvedRIGHT for all those involved


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Behaving ethically can often

mean NOTDOING

SOMETHING.

Conscience is a maturing of

the mind, educated byenvironment, by family, by

professional training and even

to a certain extent by intuition.

If by acting you are offending

your conscience, then ACT

NOT.


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Professionalism is not just about doing

your utmost for the client to the very

best of your learning, experience andtraining. Professionalism is also about

the ability to say no for just ethical

cause. Such professionalism ()

requires not just education and therecognition of your peers in

professional association; it requires

courage born out of experience, and

trust and confidence in ones own

ethical ability to perform or not to

perform, as the case may be, in

accordance with ones own

conscience and principles.

Michael McCann, InfoMarex, Ireland


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In the course of your work as an T/I you

must adhere to various professional

codes of conduct and practices or ethics: Youremployers general code of

professional conduct and practices

Yourjobs code of professional conduct

(if you are a bilingual nurse, physician,

technician, support personnel, etc.).When you are a bilingual staff member,

you are not an interpreter unless you are

in a triadic situation.

Your personalcode of ethics and morals

(religion, beliefs).

TheAUSITcode of professional conduct


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What makes sense for one cultural

group may not for another. Asking

interpreters what a particular rule meansfor them individually and within their

culture will help to clarify the code,

support the interpreters in their efforts to

comply, and adapt the code when it

doesn't work.RCCHC


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A number of interpreterCodes of Ethics is

available for comparison on

http://www.diversityrx.org/HTML/MOIPOV.htm


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Codes of practise can regulate/protect butCodes of practise can regulate/protect butmany translation dilemmas faced regularlymany translation dilemmas faced regularlyin your career wont be covered by thesein your career wont be covered by thesenarrow codes.narrow codes.


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WHAT IS MISSING FROM ALL THIS??WHAT IS MISSING FROM ALL THIS??


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The fact that we are small businesses, notThe fact that we are small businesses, notanyones employees.anyones employees.

No part of the AUSIT Code of EthicsNo part of the AUSIT Code of Ethicstouches on such issues as businesstouches on such issues as businesspractices, advertising and marketing,practices, advertising and marketing,information management or riskinformation management or risk

management.management.

Is it ethical for an ethics promotingIs it ethical for an ethics promotingorganisation to let its members runorganisation to let its members run

businesses without guidance?businesses without guidance?


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WHAT ARE THE ETHICALWHAT ARE THE ETHICALQUESTIONS RELEVANT TOQUESTIONS RELEVANT TOUS TODAY?US TODAY?


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BUSINESS PRACTICEBUSINESS PRACTICE

QualificationsQualifications Confidentiality (consultation, use of information)Confidentiality (consultation, use of information) Payment & referencesPayment & references NonsolicitationNonsolicitation Continuing educationContinuing education Conflict of interestConflict of interest

SubcontractingSubcontracting DeadlinesDeadlines ObjectivityObjectivity Responsibilities to other translatorsResponsibilities to other translators

Encouraging & assisting beginnersEncouraging & assisting beginners

Refraining from unfair competitionRefraining from unfair competition Res ect & su ort fellow rofessionalsRes ect & su ort fellow rofessionals


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So Why ShouldSo Why Should

We, like,CARE??We, like,CARE??


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Acting ethically (therefore professionally)Acting ethically (therefore professionally)pays in the long runpays in the long run (read Efficient(read EfficientEthics handout.)Ethics handout.)

Acting unethically can cause legalActing unethically can cause legalproblems that might not be immediatelyproblems that might not be immediatelyclear.clear.


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Ethical issues affect an interpretersEthical issues affect an interpretersperformance whether he or she is awareperformance whether he or she is awareof it or not.of it or not.

An interpreters ability to do their jobAn interpreters ability to do their jobethically can affect someonesethically can affect someones

health and wellhealth and well--being,being,

their exercise of rights and/or obligations, andtheir exercise of rights and/or obligations, and

their perception of the world around them.their perception of the world around them.


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SKOPOS and translatingSKOPOS and translating

SkoposSkopos theorytheory Drop the idea of fidelityDrop the idea of fidelity

Intended purposeof the target textIntended purposeof the target textdeterminestranslation methods/strategiesdeterminestranslation methods/strategies

Goal is functionally appropriate target textGoal is functionally appropriate target text

Givesthe translator more freedom of actionGivesthe translator more freedom of action

Provides framework for educating clientsProvides framework for educating clients


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Continuum ofChoicesContinuum ofChoices

Literal FreeLiteral Free

Semantic DynamicSemantic Dynamic

DocumentaryDocumentary

InstrumentalInstrumental


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BUT!!!!!BUT!!!!!

ThisThisdependson the translator receivingdependson the translator receivingtranslation instructionswith cleartranslation instructionswith clearstatement of purposestatement of purpose

Assumes that translator isviewed asanAssumes that translator isviewed asanindependent expertindependent expert

May lead to ethicallyproblematicMay lead to ethicallyproblematicsituations (WHY??)situations (WHY??)


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DIFFERENTLY?DIFFERENTLY?

Always work to create trustAlways work to create trust Bad translation is unethical translationBad translation is unethical translation

Keep your source language grammar toKeep your source language grammar to

yourselfyourself Know the linguistic resources available inKnow the linguistic resources available in

your languagesyour languages

Be aware of various translation strategiesBe aware of various translation strategies


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Case StudiesCase Studies


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HOW?HOW?

All based on practising translatorsAll based on practising translatorsscenariosscenarios

Notgiving the answers but raising ethicalNotgiving the answers but raising ethical

questionsquestions How mightHow mightyouyou respond?respond?

How would you justifyyour decision (to aHow would you justifyyour decision (to aclient, to other translators, to a jury, to aclient, to other translators, to a jury, to a

friend, to yourself)?friend, to yourself)?


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As a translator you are offered a manual toAs a translator you are offered a manual totranslate. Theclient is a welltranslate. Theclient is a well--know internationalknow internationalagency, they pay well and the deadlines areagency, they pay well and the deadlines are

reasonable. The brief says the manual is relatedreasonable. The brief says the manual is relatedto military matters, in which you are a specialist.to military matters, in which you are a specialist.

You agree. The manual arrives and you discoverYou agree. The manual arrives and you discoverthat ithas to do with the building of a nuclearthat ithas to do with the building of a nuclear

weapons plant in a country currently showing allweapons plant in a country currently showing allsigns of aggression towards its neighbours..signs of aggression towards its neighbours..What would you do?What would you do?


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How Do ICharge?How Do ICharge?

Why is this an ethics question?Why is this an ethics question? Can billing be unethical?Can billing be unethical?

Same rate for every jobSame rate for every job

ClientClient--dependentdependent ExperienceExperience--dependentdependent

STST--dependentdependent

TimeTime--dependentdependent

Colleague/IndustryColleague/Industry--dependentdependent


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Only when youre too busy to take onOnly when youre too busy to take onmoremore

ExperienceExperience--dependentdependent STST--dependentdependent

ClientClient--dependentdependent

When Do I refuse work?When Do I refuse work?


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Who owns translation?Who owns translation?

a)a) Whoever pays for itWhoever pays for it

b)b) Whoever manages the translation jobWhoever manages the translation job

c)c) The translator(s)The translator(s)d)d) The ST author(s)The ST author(s)


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Limits of confidentialityLimits of confidentiality

a)a) As defined in theclients contract/jobAs defined in theclients contract/jobspecspec

b)b) STST--dependentdependentc)c) Follow codes of professionalFollow codes of professional

conduct/agency rulesconduct/agency rules

d)d) NoneNone


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Translation choices during theTranslation choices during the

translation task?translation task?

Maintain sense or style?Maintain sense or style?

Sacrificecontent/change emphasisSacrificecontent/change emphasis

where unavoidablewhere unavoidable STST--dependentdependent

ClientClient--dependentdependent

EndEnd--user/Audienceuser/Audience--dependentdependent


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COMMON SCENARIOS?COMMON SCENARIOS?

How to respond when a client treats youHow to respond when a client treats youbadly?badly?

Responsibilities to translator colleaguesResponsibilities to translator colleagues when revising?when revising?

duty to profession?duty to profession?

duty to colleagues?duty to colleagues?

duty to client/endduty to client/end--user?user?

How to respond to poor translations?How to respond to poor translations?


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You are interpreting at a news conferenceYou are interpreting at a news conferencefor a high ranking politician from countryfor a high ranking politician from countryX, who is visiting country Y. During theX, who is visiting country Y. During theconference the politician says thatconference the politician says thatparticular minority in his country is full ofparticular minority in his country is full ofscum and should be all deported backscum and should be all deported back

home. What do you do?home. What do you do?


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A translator is hired by a man

who suspected that his wife

was unfaithful and married himonly to get an Australian Visa.

He had with him photocopied

pages from her diary.T

hereading of the diary incidentally

confirmed the devastated

man's suspicions. Should the

translator accept this job?


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You are interpreting in a court

setting for the defendant in acriminal case.During the

recess, the defendant confides

that he did commit the crimeand intends to take the stand

and lie about it. What do you

do?


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You are interpreting in a

hospital.The patient tells thedoctor everything is hanky

dory, but after you both come

out of the clinic, he confides inyou that he is seriously thinking

of taking his life. What do you

do?

Your association for the Hearing Impaired decides on the


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g p

following Code ofConduct. See if you can help set it

right:

At the start of all meetings, workshops, or conferences,

always start the ball rolling by telling a funny joke orstory.

If the deaf person takes a long time to answer a

question, or seems unsure of what to say, don't let

them flounder -- help the deaf people out by providing

any information you may have related to the topic.If

you are unfamiliar with the topic, make up an answer.Remember, awkward and halting conversation can't

lead to successful communication.

Always offer (or interject) your personal opinion.

Make sure that you're always the center of attention.If

the audience is focusing on the hearing speaker, stand

up, dance around, or make wierd facial expressions. Always wear the current fashion styles (bright colors

and checkerboard prints are best.)

Before, after, and during breaks give brief lectures on

deafness, how you became involved in interpreting,

and highlights of your childhood.

If you become drowsy during an interpreting

assignment, take a nap for 15-20 minutes.


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THANK YOU!

HOL

DO

N,D

ON

T

FALL OFF.

ITIS UNETHICAL FOR OTHERS TO PRESENT

THIS WORKSHOP AS IF IT WAS THEIRS

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