GUIDING PRINCIPLES
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED +
2025-2026
Tenet 1.0 Confidentiality
Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication. - ANS-Guiding
Principle:
Interpreters hold a position of trust in their role as linguistic and cultural facilitators
of communication. Confidentiality is highly valued by consumers and is essential to
protecting all involved.
Each interpreting situation (e.g., elementary, secondary, & post-secondary education,
legal, medical, mental health) has a standard of confidentiality. Under the reasonable
interpreter standard, professional interpreters are expected to know the general
requirements and applicability of various levels of confidentiality. Exceptions to
confidentiality include,for example, federal and state laws requiring mandatory
reporting of abuse or threats of suicide, or responding to subpoenas.
Tenet 2.0 Professionalism
Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific
interpreting situation. - ANS-Guiding Principle:
Interpreters are expected to stay abreast of evolving language use and trends in the
profession of interpreting as well as in the American Deaf Community.