The Professional Self-Correction Protocol
A Professional Gift to the Interpreting Community from Samuel Arcelay
The Self-Correction Protocol
Handling Errors with Transparency and Ethical Integrity
Accuracy is the interpreter's primary duty. If you realize you have made an error in interpretation, you have an ethical obligation to correct it immediately.
Step 1: Signal the Correction
"The interpreter would like to correct an error." "El intérprete quisiera corregir un error."Step 2: State the Original and the Correction
"The interpreter previously stated [Incorrect Word], the correct interpretation is [Correct Word]." "El intérprete dijo previamente [Palabra Incorrecta], la interpretación correcta es [Palabra Correcta]."Step 3: Resume
Once the correction is made, return immediately to your role as a conduit.
Why is this necessary?
In a legal or medical setting, the "record" is everything. Transparency protects the due process of the law and patient safety in medicine. Never change a word quietly; always announce the correction.
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