翻译服务行业的伦理探索

A Study of the Ethics of the Translation Service Industry

过去三十年间,中国的翻译服务行业快速发展,在此过程中也遇到了很多问题和挑战。劣质翻译、不正当竞争、译员收入与能力不匹配等问题损害了翻译服务购买者的利益,也制约了行业的发展。翻译服务本质上是一种经济行为,从这一本质特点出发,可以系统探索翻译服务行业的伦理价值和准则。作为一项经济服务,翻译服务最重要的伦理准则是互惠互利。翻译服务提供方有伦理义务为客户提供能够促进跨语言、跨文化合作的优质翻译和配套的商品服务,而翻译服务购买方则需要向翻译服务提供方付出等值的回报,保证合适的工作条件。同时,翻译服务提供方也有伦理义务忠于翻译职业,公平竞争、诚信交易、维护行业形象、重视管理伦理,不断促进翻译行业的健康发展。

During the past three decades, China’s translation industry has developed rapidly. During this process, it has also encountered numerous problems and challenges, such as translation of poor quality, unfair competition, and the incompatibility between translators’ income and ability, which not only harm the interests of translation service consumers, but also hampers the development of the industry. In essence, translation service is a type of economic activity. The ethical values and norms of the translation service industry can be systematically investigated starting from this essential feature. As an activity of economic service, the core ethical principle for translation service is mutual benefit. Translation service providers have the moral duty to offer excellent translations and value-added products and services that can facilitate cross-linguistic and crosscultural cooperation. Meanwhile, clients need to offer translation service providers rewards equivalent to the value of their labor and ensure a proper working condition. At the same time, translation service providers also have the ethical duty to pay allegiance to the profession and promote the development of the whole industry,conducting fair competition, dealing honestly, protecting the image of the industry and paying attention to management ethics.