Which of the following is the first element of the CPC?

The first element of the Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) is confidentiality. This principle emphasizes the importance of safeguarding client information and maintaining trust in the interpreter-client relationship. Confidentiality not only protects the privacy of the individuals involved but also upholds the integrity of the interpreting profession. Interpreters are expected to handle all communications with discretion and to refrain from disclosing any information learned during the interpreting process unless explicitly authorized by the client or mandated by law.

While professionalism, conduct, and respect for colleagues are also crucial elements of the CPC, they follow confidentiality in the order of priorities. Each element works together to ensure that interpreters operate with ethical integrity, but confidentiality serves as the foundation upon which trust is built, making it the first principle that interpreters must uphold in their practice.