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NAATI
is Australia’s National Accreditation Authority for Translators and
Interpreters. The agency is owned and administered jointly
by Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory governments.
NAATI
accreditation is the only credential officially accepted by employers
in Australia for the profession of translation and interpreting. It
provides quality assurance to the clients of translators and
interpreters.
NAATI accredited translators and interpreters are required to:
• undertake ongoing professional development, as determined by NAATI
• adhere to the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators
Code of Ethics (see below)
AUSIT Code of Ethics for
Interpreters & Translators (Summary)
General Principles
1. Professional conduct
Interpreters and translators shall at all times act in accordance with
the standards of conduct and decorum appropriate to the aims of AUSIT,
the national professional association of interpreters and translators.
Interpreters and translators should:
• always be polite and courteous, unobtrusive, firm and dignified
• explain their role to clients, encouraging them to speak to each
other directly
• allow nothing to prejudice or influence their work, and disclose any
possible conflict of interest
• decline gifts and tips (except token gifts customary in some
cultures), explaining to clients that accepting them could compromise
their professional integrity
• ensure punctuality at all times (and if lateness is unavoidable,
advise clients immediately)
• prepare appropriately for assignments and ensure they are completed
• refrain from unprofessional or dishonourable behaviour and refer any
unresolved disputes to the AUSIT Executive Committee and accept its
decision.
2. Confidentiality
Interpreters and translators shall not disclose information acquired
during the course of their assignments.
• Interpreters and translators may only disclose information with the
permission of their clients (or if the law requires disclosure).
• If other interpreters or translators are involved in the same
assignment and require briefing, this should be done after obtaining
the clients' permission, and all are obliged to maintain
confidentiality.
• No work should be subcontracted to colleagues without clients'
permission.
• Translated documents remain the client's property.
3. Competence
Interpreters and translators shall undertake only work which they are
competent to perform in the language areas for which they are
"accredited" or "recognised" by NAATI.
• Acceptance of an assignment is a declaration of one's competence and
constitutes a contract. If, during an assignment, it becomes clear that
the work is beyond the interpreter's or translator's competence, they
should inform clients immediately and withdraw.
• Interpreters/translators must clearly specify their NAATI
accreditation, level and language direction, if necessary explaining
its significance to clients.
• It is the interpreter's responsibility to ensure that working
conditions facilitate communication.
• If an interpreter or translator is asked to provide a second opinion
or to review alterations to the work of another practitioner, there
should be final agreement between all interpreters and translators
concerned.
4. Impartiality
Interpreters and translators shall observe impartiality in all
professional contracts.
• Professional detachment must be maintained at all times. If
interpreters or translators feel their objectivity is threatened, they
should withdraw from the assignment.
• Practitioners should not recommend to clients anyone or anything in
which they have personal or financial interest. If for some reason they
have to do so they must fully disclose such interest - including
assignments for relatives or friends, or which affect their employers.
• They should not accept, or should withdraw from, assignments in which
impartiality may be risked because of personal beliefs or circumstances.
• Interpreters and translators are not responsible for what clients say
or write.
• They should not voice or write an opinion on anything or anyone
concerned with an assignment.
• If approached for service by all parties to a legal dispute, an
interpreter or translator shall offer to work for the first party
making the request and notify all parties concerned.
5. Accuracy
Interpreters and translators shall take all reasonable care to be
accurate.
They must:
• relay accurately and completely all that is said by all parties in a
meeting - including derogatory or vulgar remarks, non-verbal clues, and
anything they know to be untrue
• not alter, add to or omit anything from the assigned work
• acknowledge and promptly rectify any interpreting or translation
mistakes. If anything is unclear, interpreters must ask for repetition,
rephrasing or explanation. If interpreters have lapses of memory which
lead to inadequate interpreting, they should inform the client, ask for
a pause and signal when they are ready to continue.
• ensure speech is clearly heard and understood by all present. Where
possible (and if agreed to by all parties), interpreters may arrange a
short general conversation with clients beforehand to ensure clear
understanding by all
• provide full evidence of NAATI accreditation or recognition if
requested
6. Employment
Interpreters and translators shall be responsible for the quality of
their work, whether employed as freelance practitioners or by
interpreting and translation agencies or other employers.
• AUSIT members may set their own rates and conditions in freelance
assignments.
• They may not accept for personal gain any fees, favours or
commissions from anyone when making any recommendations to clients.
• Interpreters and translators are responsible for services to clients
performed by assistants or subcontracted employees. I&T
practitioners employed by colleagues must exercise the same diligence
in performing their duties.
7. Professional development
Interpreters and translators shall continue to develop their
professional knowledge and skills.
• They should constantly review and re-evaluate their work performance.
• They should maintain and enhance their skills by study and
experience, and keep up to date with relevant languages and cultures.
8. Professional solidarity
Interpreters and translators shall respect and support their fellow
professionals.
They should:
• assist and further the interests of colleagues, refraining from
comments injurious to the reputation of a colleague
• promote and enhance the integrity of the profession through trust and
mutual respect. Differences of opinion should be expressed with candour
and respect- not by denigration- refraining from behaviour considered
unprofessional by their peers.
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