Mirela
Ethics comes from the Greek word “ethos,” encompassing concepts like custom, habit, character, and disposition. Essentially, ethics is a set of moral principles that guide people’s decisions and actions. In the context of translation, these principles govern the translator’s choices and responsibilities. Ethics in translation influence how translators approach source texts, their relationship with clients, and their impact on the target audience.
So, what are the qualities of an ethical translator? They are know to be:
- Accurate
- Impartial
- Objective
- Confidential
- Transparent
- Professional
- Respectful
- Accountable
Ethical codes generally require translators and interpreters to:
- Honor clients’ privacy and confidentiality rights.
- Reveal any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
- Refuse tasks that exceed their expertise or accreditation.
- Communicate information truthfully and objectively between parties.
- Uphold professional impartiality and avoid undue self-promotion.
- Prevent the exploitation of privileged information for personal benefit.
We’ll expand on what this means below.
The foundation of ethical translation
One of the core principles of the ethics in translation is accuracy. Translation ethics are defined as the practice of preserving the original meaning of the source text without distortion. In the end, the message should remain true to its source, whether it’s a medical report or a marketing campaign.
Translators often deal with highly sensitive information. Respecting confidentiality is also an essential part of ethical translation, ensuring that private information remains secure and undisclosed. Breaching this trust compromises professional integrity and could also have serious legal consequences.
Cultural sensitivity and respect
Localization, in particular, demands a careful ethical approach, as disregarding cultural sensitivities can cause several issues like damaged reputations or even legal issues. Striking the right balance between localization and authenticity is a challenge that requires experience and cultural awareness.
As a translator, your are often put in the position of making tough decisions: whether to adapt or censor controversial language, how to handle cultural references that do not exist in the target language, or whether to work on content that conflicts with your moral values. However, translators should be capable of delivering an accurate translation, even when their personal views differ from those presented in the text.
Navigating bias and advocacy
In fields like legal, political, and journalistic translation, it goes without saying that maintaining neutrality is a must. Translators should absolutely avoid inserting personal biases or altering content to reflect their own views. This is even more important when you have to translate sensitive or controversial materials (e.g., political speeches, news articles, legal testimonies).
Ultimately, ethical translators must constantly evaluate their role in the communication process. It’s about balancing objectivity with a sense of moral responsibility. When faced with ethically challenging content, translators often consult professional codes of conduct. Of course, seeking advice from experienced colleagues can provide even more valuable guidance.
Closing thoughts
Maintaining ethics in translation, as a linguist, is a way of ensuring the quality of your work and also contributing to a more transparent and responsible world. So, what does it mean to be an ethical translator? It means knowing when to adapt and when to stay true. While technology may change the way we translate, it will never replace the ethical judgment that defines the human touch.