Homework 5

In this scenario, the best thing for the interpreter to do is to continue to do her job and not make any comments, even if she is very upset. The interpreter has to follow the code of ethics and the standards of practice, so if the interpreter said something directly to the patient about her behavior she would not be following the principle of impartiality; which states that the interpreter should refrain from projecting. The interpreter’s behavior would also not follow the principle of professionalism, because she is letting her personal feelings dictate her manners at work. In the end, it would be best to keep on interpreting and let the doctor help the patient.

In the “Impartiality” scenario, the interpreter is upset at a patient’s comments because they lost their sister to HIV. As a professional, the interpreter should recognize that they are volatile to insensitive comments related to HIV. This would be a skill limitation that prevents the Interpreter from working effectively. Although as a professional, the Interpreter should have been ready for a matter like this to arise, considering they work at an HIV clinic. They should also understand that the patient’s insensitive comments were an opinion and not directed towards their sister. The Interpreter can either excuse themselves and ask for a different interpreter to handle the assignment, or they can maintain their neutrality during the session and continue interpreting.