MEDICAL INTERPRETER-ROLES AND
ETHICS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Clarifier - Answer-There are times when a term or phrase is not heard or understood.
Usually evidenced by a "blank stare" or a delay in the response to a question. In this
role the interpreter checks for understanding and seeks to remove any doubts about
what was said. The interpreter assumes this role when he/she believe it is necessary to
facilitate understanding.
CULTURAL BROKER or CULTURAL INTERFACE - Answer-Taking on this role implies
having knowledge on the particular cultural beliefs of the individuals you are interpreting
for. That knowledge of different cultures allows the interpreter to detect cultural
misunderstandings and assume the role of cultural interface, providing the necessary
cultural framework to clear up any misunderstanding.
Advocate - Answer-Interpreter goes beyond being the patient's voice. Here the
interpreter ACTS on certain issues that he/she feels are necessary for the patient to get
the appropriate care he needs. THE INTERPRETER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
QUALITY OF CARE that the LEP patient is to receive. It is the most "active" role an
interpreter can assume and usually the least frequent one. There is a lot of controversy
over how much an interpreter should become involved in the patient's healthcare needs.
The general consensus is that this role should be assumed by the interpreter TO AVOID
HARM TO THE PATIENT OR ANOTHER PARTY.
The 9 Principles of the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care (NCIHC) -
Answer-1. Confidentiality 2. Fidelity 3. Impartiality 4. Boundaries (Transparency,
Conflicts of Interest) 5. Scope of Practice 6. Professional Courtesy 7. Advocacy 8.
Professional Development 9. Professional & Ethical Manner (NCIHC, 21)
Accuracy & Completeness
Precisión & Completud - Answer-The principle of fidelity. The interpreter strives to
render the message accurately, conveying the content and spirit of the original
message, taking into consideration its cultural context.
Impartiality
Imparcialidad - Answer-The interpreter strives to maintain impartiality and refrains from
counseling, advising, or projecting personal biases or beliefs.
Conflict of Interest
Conflicto de intereses - Answer-The interpreter maintains the boundaries of the
professional role, refraining from personal involvement.
, Scope of Practice
Àmbito de práctica - Answer-The interpreter continually strives to develop awareness of
their own and other (ex. biomedical) cultures encountered in the performance of their
professional duties. Cultural Competency.
Disqualification/Impediments to Performance
Descalificación/impedimentos al desempeño - Answer-Interpreters will refrain from
accepting assignments beyond their professional skills, language fluency, or level of
training.
Responsibility to withdraw from assignment if language or content keeps interpreter
from enacting role in accordance with the principle of fidelity.
Responsibility Toward Ensuring Adequate Working Conditions (ex. interpreter fatigue,
20 minute rule, requesting complex materials ahead of time.)
Professional Courtesy
Cortesía professional - Answer-The interpreter treats all parties with respect
Professional Development
Desarrollo professional - Answer-The interpreter strives to continually further his/her
knowledge and skills.
Guidelines to the Conduit Role - Answer-- interprets in the first person
- interprets pauses, sighs, meaningful gestures, etc
- interpreter gives an accurate interpretation, not a literal interpretation
- the interpreter reflects tone, inflection, and volume
Clarifying: when intervention is necessary - Answer-- the interpreter needs to have the
speaker repeat what they said
- the interpreter needs to ask the speaker to use shorter sentences
- the speaker is not pausing enough to allow for interpretation
- use of language that the interpreter does not understand
- the interpreter suspects, due to non-verbal clues, that the patient does not understand
- anyone uses a term that must be explained or put in a cultural context to be
understood
- a cultural difference is causing a misunderstanding
Exceptions to using first person interpreting - Answer-- if the patient is disoriented,
mentally ill, etc.
- if the patient speaks a language whose grammatical structure makes it inappropriate
to use first person
Boundaries - Answer-Interpreters will refrain from accepting assignments beyond their
professional skills, language fluency, or level of training.
ETHICS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Clarifier - Answer-There are times when a term or phrase is not heard or understood.
Usually evidenced by a "blank stare" or a delay in the response to a question. In this
role the interpreter checks for understanding and seeks to remove any doubts about
what was said. The interpreter assumes this role when he/she believe it is necessary to
facilitate understanding.
CULTURAL BROKER or CULTURAL INTERFACE - Answer-Taking on this role implies
having knowledge on the particular cultural beliefs of the individuals you are interpreting
for. That knowledge of different cultures allows the interpreter to detect cultural
misunderstandings and assume the role of cultural interface, providing the necessary
cultural framework to clear up any misunderstanding.
Advocate - Answer-Interpreter goes beyond being the patient's voice. Here the
interpreter ACTS on certain issues that he/she feels are necessary for the patient to get
the appropriate care he needs. THE INTERPRETER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
QUALITY OF CARE that the LEP patient is to receive. It is the most "active" role an
interpreter can assume and usually the least frequent one. There is a lot of controversy
over how much an interpreter should become involved in the patient's healthcare needs.
The general consensus is that this role should be assumed by the interpreter TO AVOID
HARM TO THE PATIENT OR ANOTHER PARTY.
The 9 Principles of the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care (NCIHC) -
Answer-1. Confidentiality 2. Fidelity 3. Impartiality 4. Boundaries (Transparency,
Conflicts of Interest) 5. Scope of Practice 6. Professional Courtesy 7. Advocacy 8.
Professional Development 9. Professional & Ethical Manner (NCIHC, 21)
Accuracy & Completeness
Precisión & Completud - Answer-The principle of fidelity. The interpreter strives to
render the message accurately, conveying the content and spirit of the original
message, taking into consideration its cultural context.
Impartiality
Imparcialidad - Answer-The interpreter strives to maintain impartiality and refrains from
counseling, advising, or projecting personal biases or beliefs.
Conflict of Interest
Conflicto de intereses - Answer-The interpreter maintains the boundaries of the
professional role, refraining from personal involvement.
, Scope of Practice
Àmbito de práctica - Answer-The interpreter continually strives to develop awareness of
their own and other (ex. biomedical) cultures encountered in the performance of their
professional duties. Cultural Competency.
Disqualification/Impediments to Performance
Descalificación/impedimentos al desempeño - Answer-Interpreters will refrain from
accepting assignments beyond their professional skills, language fluency, or level of
training.
Responsibility to withdraw from assignment if language or content keeps interpreter
from enacting role in accordance with the principle of fidelity.
Responsibility Toward Ensuring Adequate Working Conditions (ex. interpreter fatigue,
20 minute rule, requesting complex materials ahead of time.)
Professional Courtesy
Cortesía professional - Answer-The interpreter treats all parties with respect
Professional Development
Desarrollo professional - Answer-The interpreter strives to continually further his/her
knowledge and skills.
Guidelines to the Conduit Role - Answer-- interprets in the first person
- interprets pauses, sighs, meaningful gestures, etc
- interpreter gives an accurate interpretation, not a literal interpretation
- the interpreter reflects tone, inflection, and volume
Clarifying: when intervention is necessary - Answer-- the interpreter needs to have the
speaker repeat what they said
- the interpreter needs to ask the speaker to use shorter sentences
- the speaker is not pausing enough to allow for interpretation
- use of language that the interpreter does not understand
- the interpreter suspects, due to non-verbal clues, that the patient does not understand
- anyone uses a term that must be explained or put in a cultural context to be
understood
- a cultural difference is causing a misunderstanding
Exceptions to using first person interpreting - Answer-- if the patient is disoriented,
mentally ill, etc.
- if the patient speaks a language whose grammatical structure makes it inappropriate
to use first person
Boundaries - Answer-Interpreters will refrain from accepting assignments beyond their
professional skills, language fluency, or level of training.
