Welcome to Chapter 4. This unit focuses focused on the domain of Professional Responsibility and Interpreter Ethics. Some of the job tasks we will explore are to maintain the boundaries; maintain impartiality; assess the need for advocacy; address ethical dilemmas; present self professionally; pursue professional growth; adhere to safety measures; and manage stress.

Let us start with an excellent example of boundaries in a medical interpreting situation. An interpreter is a conduit of information, transmitting what the provider says to the patient and the other way around. It is best to avoid certain things like accepting gifts, giving people rides, or providing personal information beyond the interpreting encounter.

Another is, and often not talked about, physical contact with the patient/clients or provider. A simple hug can be “interpreted” as leading and unprofessional. Personal thoughts and affection change from person to person.

Being fair means not including personal opinion in the interpretation unless it becomes life-threatening or is disrespectful or harmful to the wellbeing of all parties (advocacy is here!)

Before watching this video:

1- What do you recall as impartiality? How would you describe it to someone outside the field of interpreting?

Now watch the video from Connecting Cultures Healthcare Interpreters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pgAWJurMEI

2- What do you think about the video? What did you learn that you will apply in the subsequent interpreting encounter? 

The following practice focuses on a 3 part series that has to do with the Seven Common Values of Medical interpretation. One Voice Language Solutions LLC  

It is a youtube channel that provides valuable information for healthcare professionals.

Activity 1: While watching the video, note which values appeared and what the opinion on the matter is?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAWd4tWGe0M&t=131s

Activity 2: While watching the video, consider which values appear and what the opinion on the matter is?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKuTB-k9Af4&t=29s

Activity 3: While watching the video, consider which values appear and what the opinion on the matter is?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCFwmpH-tqA

The final exercise to turn in: Now that Activities 1, 2, and 3 are complete, make a summary of the report and turn it in as a summary paragraph.

Interpreting Exercise #3 (Video)

TASKS

Compare and contrast the two situations shown in the video below.

Check your understanding of what each person says using captions.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. The following video has 2 situations: A & B. Please watch both situations carefully.
2. Next, watch the captioned video
   • Note since the video is in both Spanish and English, you need to watch the specially captioned video containing captions in both languages.
     • do not just turn captions on in YouTube!
3. Write a short paragraph, create a video, OR a graphic comparing and contrasting situations A & B.
   • Indicate which situation you would choose for your professional practice.
   • Briefly describe how/if the captions helped you.
     • Did you miss any information? If so, why?

Video without Captions

Video with Captions in Spanish and English