In what situation is it ethical for an interpreter to contribute their own opinion?

The appropriate context for an interpreter's role is to facilitate communication between parties and ensure that messages are conveyed accurately and impartially, without personal influence. Ethical guidelines for interpreters emphasize the importance of neutrality and objectivity.

In this light, it is indeed never appropriate for an interpreter to offer personal opinions. Doing so would compromise their role and could blur the lines between interpreting and advocacy, potentially leading to misunderstandings or conflicts of interest. The primary responsibility of an interpreter is to relay information faithfully between the parties involved, without inserting their own perspectives or biases. This commitment to neutrality is fundamental to maintaining trust in the interpreting process and upholding the integrity of the profession.

In contrast, advocating for patient interests or providing personal insights—whether in response to inquiries about patient information or during discussions with family members—would stray from this ethical obligation and could lead to an erosion of the impartiality that is so crucial in interpretation.