of Ethics Online Collection: None
Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices
I. As a translator, I stand between two languages and act as a bridge for the free passage of ideas from one side to the other. Because my knowledge, skill and discretion are essential to intellectual commerce, I commit myself to the highest standards of performance, ethical behavior, and sound business practice.
1. I will endeavor to translate with utmost accuracy and fidelity, so that I convey to the reader of the translation the same meaning and spirit the original conveyed to me. I acknowledge that this level of excellence requires:
a) mastery of the target language equivalent to that of an educated native speaker;
b) up-to-date knowledge of the source language and the subject area sufficient to understand the message;
c) continued efforts to improve my professional skills and to broaden and deepen my knowledge.
2. I will be truthful about my qualifications and business practices and will not accept any assignment for which I am not fully qualified, without the express consent of my client.
3. I will safeguard the interests of my clients as my own and divulge no confidential information.
4. I will derive no personal profit or financial gain from confidential information I receive in my professional capacity.
5. I will clarify all aspects of my contractual relationship with my client, preferably in writing, prior to performing an assignment and will strictly adhere to the agreed terms.
6. I will notify my client of any unresolved difficulties I may encounter in the performance of the assignment.
7. I will use a client's name as a reference only if I am prepared to direct the prospective client to the individual who can attest to the quality of my work.
8. I will respect and refrain from interfering with the business relationship that exists between my client and my client's client.
9. I will refrain from unfair competitive practices.
II. As an employer of translators or as one who contracts assignments to translators, I will uphold the above standards in conducting my business. I further commit myself to the following fair practices in dealing with translators:
1. I will clarify all aspects of my contractual relationship With the translator and state my expectations regarding the assignment at the outset, preferably in writing.
2. I will strictly adhere to the agreed terms of this relationship, including the payment deadline, and will not capriciously change the job specifications after the translator's work has begun.
3. I will not require translators to do unpaid work against the prospect of a paid assignment.
4. I will deal directly with the translator in the event of any dispute about an assignment. If we fail to resolve the problem, we will seek an arbitrator.
5. I will not use a translator's credentials in bidding for a job or promoting my business without the translator's consent or without the bona fide intention to use the translator's services.
6. In the case of translations intended for publication or performance, I will grant translators recognition of the kind traditionally granted authors, including mention of their name on the title page and jacket of the published translation or in the theater program and in the advertising of the work.
7. In the case of commercially published or produced works, I acknowledge the translator's right to approve or reject any substantial changes in the translated text, or, alternatively, to have his/her name removed from the work without prejudice to the agreed payment.
