Exploring ethical dilemmas encountered by public service interpreters and their effect on job satisfaction

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the stressors that affect interpreters working in public service interpreting (PSI) in Finland and the ethical dilemmas these stressors indicate. Our data derives from a survey carried out among public service interpreters in Finland in 2018. We identified three categories of stressors: content-related stressors, interactional stressors, and stressors related to the organisation of the work. Through these, we identified six ethical dilemmas. Our analysis indicates that, to solve ethical dilemmas in a sound manner, interpreters have to exercise agency in addition to being familiar with professional codes of conduct. Furthermore, many ethical dilemmas interpreters face are emotionally challenging and therefore also require affective labour. Unfortunately, interpreters often seem to be left to their own devices in dealing with emotionally challenging situations. This study calls for increased professional support for interpreters and further research on the link between ethical dilemmas and job satisfaction.