Our Linguist Code of Ethics Sets Us Apart
Many occupations use a code of ethics or code of conduct. For example, doctors follow the Hippocratic Oath. This oath sets a doctor’s code of ethics as “do no harm.” It may surprise you that Acutrans has a Linguist Code of Ethics! Acutrans is unique in the language industry because of this. No other company in the United States has their linguist follow a code of ethics. What is in the Acutrans Linguist Code of Ethics? And why is it important? Read on to find out!
What is in the Linguist Code of Ethics?
The Linguist Code of Ethics sets out rules and guidelines for Acutrans translators. Our linguists must follow this code as long as they work with Acutrans. Acutrans project managers get to know their linguists and collaborate with them like friends. The Linguist Code of Ethics keeps everyone honest and working diligently.
The Linguist Code of Ethics is broken up into six sections. Each section details an important part of working with Acutrans. Read on to learn about the sections!
Confidentiality in Translation
One of the most important aspects of translation is confidentiality. The translator agrees to not disclose information about what they translate. Also, translators must agree to uphold HIPAA standards.
In addition to signing the Linguist Code of Ethics, all our linguists sign a non-disclosure agreement and undergo HIPAA training.
Faithful and Accurate Translation
Faithful and accurate translation is a necessity. Our linguists agree to translate ideas as closely as possible. This also means that translators should be unbiased. Linguists agree to not change ideas within the document. This can sometimes be difficult! A linguist sometimes wants to change bad grammar or make style edits. However, professional linguists translate objectively. This is what sets them apart from bilingual people. They are trained to know how to translate like this.
Honesty About Professional Qualifications
We extensively screen and test our linguists before they translate with us. However, they must agree to translate in fields they are qualified for. For example, we would not allow a legal linguist to translate a medical text. The linguist won’t know the correct vocabulary!
This point is also important for languages a linguist translates. Acutrans only allows linguists to translate into their native language. We believe that this creates the best translations. Thus, we do not want a Polish linguist, who knows a little Russian, to translate into Russian.
Continuing Professional Development
All of Acutrans’ linguists must commit to evolving. The art of translation changes over time. For example, translation software changes and gets better. In addition, the language industry may make changes to business models. An Acutrans linguist must be a life-long learner. Without this learning, our translations wouldn’t be relevant.
Professional Organizations
Being part of a translation community is also important for Acutrans. We encourage our linguists to join professional organizations like the American Translator’s Association (ATA). Other organizations we encourage them to join are Translator’s Without Borders (TWB), ProZ, and the Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI).
Linguists that join professional groups keep up to date with news and technological advancements. In addition, linguists have access to other linguistic resources for their translations. Collaboration is very important to translation!
Accurate Billing
Finally, all our linguists agree to charge a fair price. They agree to not overcharge or undercharge. All our linguists are humans who work for a living. Our linguists build trust each time they charge us a fair price.
Who abides by the Linguist Code of Ethics?
All linguists that work for Acutrans abide by the Linguist Code of Ethics. A translator has to sign the Linguist Code of Ethics before they can work with Acutrans. The Code of Ethics is in force the entire time a linguist works with Acutrans.
Why is the Linguist Code of Ethics important?
Acutrans wants to deliver the highest possible quality translations. To do this, Acutrans uses only the best linguists. One way to work with amazing linguists is to be an ethical role model. Our company believes in all the aspects of our Code of Ethics. And we only want to work with people who believe in it too!
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