EMT Competences: Service provision
Here are two experiences that improved my skills as a service provider:
Review of common industry practices relating to ethics
As part of my postgraduate programme, I reviewed many translator’s associations’ ethical guidelines and terms of service with the help of my classmates to find out common patterns of requirements. This experience gave me a better understanding on the ethical guard-rails the industry has set in place to make sure translators and authors are treated appropriately.
Of this review, here are common ethical requirements I noted as important:
- Privacy: Do not share or otherwise reveal personal information to third parties.
- Impartiality: Do not pick a side. This is especially important in interpreting.
- Accuracy: Make sure you are producing a fair representation of the original text.
- Honesty
- Collegiality: Work with and support your peers.
- Conflict resolution: Avoid litigeous situations.
- Training: Follow training in areas you want to specialise in, and to keep up with new knowledge.
- Recognition of work done: Pay translators fairly, and give them credit when appropriate.
- Professionalism: Interract using an appropriate tone with clients.
On top of those, I have also my own ethical guidelines and personnal philosphy, which I try my best to follow, and which generally aligns with the requirements I listed above. Each translators’ association also has their own principle that one, of course, has to follow as a member, on top of specific requirements a client or agency may have.