How are ethics defined?

Ethics is defined as a set of behavioral standards that determine right or wrong, which serves as a foundational guide for professional conduct in various fields, including interpreting. This definition emphasizes the role of ethics in shaping moral judgments and setting boundaries for acceptable practice, thereby ensuring that interpreters act in a manner consistent with the values of integrity, respect, and responsibility.

In the context of interpreting, adhering to ethical standards helps maintain professionalism and promotes trust between the interpreter, the clients, and the communities they serve. These standards are often established by professional organizations and are intended to protect the welfare of individuals involved while ensuring accurate and impartial communication.

The other definitions do address aspects of interpreting practices, but they do not encapsulate the broad concept of ethics in the same way. Legal guidelines, for example, may outline regulatory requirements but do not cover the moral principles that guide decision making. Personal beliefs are indeed subjective and can vary greatly among interpreters, but they do not constitute a unified ethical framework. An official document regarding interpreter responsibilities may provide specific rules and guidelines, but it is the ethical standards that underpin these responsibilities and guide interpreters in their day-to-day practice.