The Code of Ethics (CoE) of the Czech Chamber of Sign Language

The Chamber Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics (CoE) of the Czech Chamber of Sign Language Interpreters (the Chamber) sets out the basic duties and rights of interpreters while performing their interpreting profession and in relation to the performance of their interpreting profession.

This CoE applies in situations that are not otherwise regulated by any laws or regulations.

The Code has been established in order to satisfy the rights of all clients to adequate communication.

The Chamber has established the following basic principles of ethical behaviour:

  1. Interpreter is a person who – from the title of his/her profession – transfers the meaning of communication from the source language to the target language. He/she is a mediator between two persons who would not have understood each other without the interpreter. Interpreter shall not strive to be an active participant of the communication.
  2. Interpreter shall assume only those obligations that meet his/her skills and qualification. Interpreter shall be duly and timely prepared for any interpreting. Interpreter is fully responsible for the quality of his/her work.
  3. Interpreter shall adjust his/her behaviour and outfit to the interpreted situation.
  4. Interpreter is bound by the duty of non-disclosure concerning anything he/she learns during interpreting and the preparation for interpreting, including the identity of his/her clients.
  5. Interpreter shall not create any personal attitudes to the interpreted situation and the clients and shall not evaluate the situation and his/her clients.
  6. Interpreter shall not reject a client due to his/her nationality, race, sex, age, religious belief, political affiliation, social status, sexual orientation, intellectual level, reputation and opinion.
  7. Interpreter may refuse performance of his/her profession due to unsuitable working conditions or if he/she thinks that he/she could not be neutral in respect of the interpreted contents and might thus harm any of the participating persons including himself/herself.
  8. Interpreter may refuse performance of his/her profession in situations when he/she suspects activities that are in conflict with the law or might violate human rights.
  9. Interpreter shall monitor the development of his/her profession in the Czech Republic and abroad; interpreter shall continuously study and enhance his/her professional level.
  10. Interpreter shall work with other colleagues in order to enforce and defend the common professional interests.
  11. Interpreter shall not harm the reputation of his/her colleague, the Chamber or the interpreting profession by his/her own misconduct.
  12. Interpreter knows and follows the Code of Ethics. Any breach of the rules of the Code of Ethics may lead to exclusion of the interpreter from the Chamber upon decision of the Commission for the Code of Ethics.