Ethical Scenario

The situation is that the Deaf client is not understanding what is being asked by the social worker.  When asking for clarification, the Deaf client looks to the interpreter to clarify rather than the social worker.

 

Identify the problems:

1. Deaf client doesn’t understand what is being said.

2. Deaf client is asking you for clarification.

3. Deaf client is not asking the social worker for clarification.

Interpreter could

1. Answer the questions for the client, supported by CPC tenet 4.4.

2. Ask if they want to ask the social worker for clarification, supported by CPC tenets 2.2, 3.3, 4.4,6.3.

3. Ask the social worker for clarification supported by CPC tenets 2.2,2.3,3.5,4.4,6.3.

4. Tell them to ask the social worker because you know nothing supported by CPC tenets 3.5,4.4.

5. Interpreter claims to know nothing and leave it up to the deaf client to ask the social worker supported by CPC tenets 3.5,4.4.

Interpreter should

Ask the social worker why you need to sign the forms and to explain again.

2.2 - Assess consumer needs before and during the assignment and make adjustments as needed.

Making the adjustment to become more conduit here allows for you to clarify for the client.

2.3 - Render the message faithfully by conveying the content and spirit of what is being communicated in the language most readily understood by consumers, and correcting errors discreetly and expeditiously.

By asking for clarification from the social worker and restating what was said before, adding the information about the forms, it allows for any errors to be fixed without the interpreter having to recall everything from memory.  

3.5 - Conduct themselves in an unobtrusive manner.

By not answering the question themselves the interpreter remains the communication facilitator rather than becoming a participant.

4.4 - Facilitate communication access and equality and support the full interaction and independence of consumers.

Again, by putting the question to the social worker roles are maintained for both the interpreter and the social worker.  

6.3 - Promote conditions that are conducive to effective communication.

By putting the question back on the social worker the interpreter will receive the correct information and be able to communicate it to the deaf client with confidence that the information will be correct and clear.

Short Term impact

• Deaf Consumer: Understands the interpreter’s role as a communication facilitator.

• Hearing Consumer: Understand the interpreter’s role as a communication facilitator.

• Interpreter: Maintained neutrality and upheld the standard.

• Interpreting Community: Standard was maintained.

Long Term impact

• Deaf Consumer: Has an understanding of how interpreters work in this setting and will know to address the hearing consumer with questions rather than the interpreter.

• Hearing Consumer: Understands how interpreting works.

• Interpreter: Maintained a standard for future interpreters working in this situation.

• Interpreting Community: Maintained neutrality and gained a potential mentor for this type of situation.

Closing Statement:

If I were the interpreter in this situation, my answer may change based on new or different information but I will always uphold the tenets of the CPC.