American Translators Association
Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices
- As a Translator or Interpreter, a bridge for ideas from one language to another and one culture to another, I commit myself to the highest standards of performance, ethical behavior, and business practices.
- I will endeavor to translate the original message faithfully, to satisfy the needs of the end user(s). I acknowledge that this level of excellence requires:
- Mastery of the target language equivalent to that of an educated native speaker,
- Up-to-date knowledge of the subject material and its terminology in both languages,
- Access to information resources and reference materials, and knowledge of the tools of my profession,
- Continuing efforts to improve, broaden, and deepen my skills and knowledge.
- I will be truthful about my qualifications and will not accept any assignments for which I am not fully qualified.
- I will safeguard the interest of my clients as my own and divulge no confidential information.
- I will notify my clients of any unresolved difficulties. If we cannot resolve a dispute, we will seek arbitration.
- I will use a client as a reference only if I am prepared to name a person to attest to the quality of my work
- I will respect and refrain from interfering with or supplanting any business relationship between my client and my client’s client.
- As an employer or contractor of translators and/or interpreters, I will uphold the above standards in my business. I further commit myself to the following practices with translators and interpreters:
- I will put my contractual relationship with translators and interpreters in writing and state my expectations prior to work.
- I will adhere to agreed terms, payment schedules, and agreed changes, and will not capriciously change job descriptions after work has begun.
- I will deal directly with the translator or interpreter about any dispute. If we cannot resolve a dispute, we will seek arbitration.
- I will not require translators or interpreters to do unpaid work for the prospect of a paid assignment.
- I will not use translator’s or interpreter’s credentials in bidding or promoting my business without their consent or without bona fide intention to use their services.
- For translations for publication or performance over which I have direct control, I will give translators recognition traditionally given authors.
November 1997
Reprinted with permission of
The American Translators Association
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
ACS Translation Services
P O Box 2211
Olympia, WA 98507-2211
(360) 412-1135
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