Re-interpretation

Your client is preparing to take a hands on test. The instructor explains what needs to be done for prep then walks off. The Deaf client asks you to repeat what was said. So you re-interpret from memory what the instructor said. The instructor walks back and gives you a look that says, "what?" you realize it looks like you are assisting the Deaf client, perhaps helping them cheat.

--what would you do next time to avoid the appearance of cheating?
--if you weren't done with your initial interpretation--perhaps the client needed a lot of expansion--how could you keep the instructor there?
--what are your options?

Can you get the phone for me?

You are driving down the road when your agency calls. Because, in your state, its against the law to talk on the phone while driving, your friend answers the phone for you. She relays your questions and answers.

Is the a breach of confidentiality? She doesn't know who the consumer is, only time and general location of the job.

Um, I'd rather not say

You are interviewing with a journalist who is writing an article on work - life balance. You recently had a baby do your input is applicable to this research. You describe what you do and where you work including that your life is so much easier because you have an ongoing gig in a school. The journalist asks which school you work in.

--do you tell the journalist? After all, she wouldn't know any of your students.
--hell, no. The journalist will publish the research and then it'll be all over the world forever more that you work (worked, rather, because who wants an unethical interpreter) at Nice Gig Public School.
--how do you politely decline to give the info?

That was so sweet!!!

You work in a k-12 setting with a number of interpreters, Deaf ed teachers, and specialists. During a class you interpret, your student complimented another teacher to you. You thought it was sweet and shared it with the teacher.

-are you right to share the compliment? Everyone likes to hear positive news, after all.
-suppose it was a complaint. Would you share then?
-what are you compromising by sharing information with other staff members. What do you gain?
-if you are a member of the educational team, does confidentiality apply to this situation?

Calculus chaos

The teacher in this high school calculus class leaves the room. You are the lone adult in a sea of bored and unruly teens. One jumps out of his seat and closes the door behind the teacher, hoping it will lock behind her and she can't get back in. He the turns to you and says, "I was in my seat the whole time, Miss. Right?"

You know your supposed to follow the teacher out of a classroom but when she left you were interpreting an explanation and was surprised by the teacher's sudden departure.

List everything wrong with this situation.

What are things you can do to prevent such a situation from reoccurring.

If you can't prevent this situation, what options do you have for dealing with it, for making ethical decisions while in this situation.

Dance dance dance

Your client is performing a short, original dance as a class project. The performance takes place on the classroom and will only be seen by the class. You want to record a video of it to share with other interpreters who work with your client and know s/he is doing the performance.

Is it ok to ask your client if you can record them and share the recording with other people they know?

Suppose it's not a solo, but a group performance. Do you need to get the hearing people's permission too?

Educational team

A hearing student comments-loudly-that she is planning on cheating on the test tomorrow. You interpret for your student who advises the cheater in her poor idea. But, the teacher never catches on.

Sure enough, the cheater had an answer written on her hand. She shows a number of her peers. Again, the teacher has no idea.

-what is your responsibility? She is hearing, not yours.
-but you are an adult in the room.

So I've Heard

You work with a client almost every morning and she is very chatty with you. She often tells you about the interpreters who interpret for her in the afternoon. You're curious about her day and curious about her other interpreters so you enjoy hearing (seeing) her stories.

*Is it ethical to listen to stories about other interpreters rom a client?
*If the client tells you something unethical the interpreter did, what would you do? Do you give your client options for recourse? Defend your peer's actions? Listen and do nothing?

My Ex Sucks!

At the end of your assignment your team offers you a ride home. Thankful not to have to wait for public transportation or call someone for a ride, you accept. On the drive home, your team voices her frustration regarding her impending divorce. Her ex-husband is also an interpreter. You're not super good friends with either of them, but are "facebook friends" with both.

Do you:
+smile and nod. You don't want to get in the middle of it.
+readily take her side. She is offering you a ride home.
+tell her you'd rather not know. You may have to work with her ex one day.

+What are the short term ramifications of your decision?
+If you will want a ride from her again but don't want to be drug into her personal saga, how will you avoid the topic of her ex?
+How can you remain supportive but still distanced?

OMG! I've gone viral on You Tube!!!

What do you do if your interpretation of a song is recorded and posted on You Tube? Or, as in this case, you post your final on You Tube.






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJKA8us6k4k&feature=player_embedded#!

• What are the short term consequences?
• What are the long term consequences?
• If everyone did this, how would that effect the interpreting profession?
  

Skipping out early

You interpret at a high school. Your show up to the last period of the day and notice your student skipped out early. What do you do? Do you leave? If you leave, do you report that on your invoice? What are your options?

+What is the ethical conflict?
+What is the Code of Professional Conduct the interpreters should be keeping in mind?
+What did you do?
+What should you do?
+What are the consequences of your decision?