Interpreting and translation

The interpreting and translation unit, which is part of the Communications Department, looks after interpreting and translation for the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council, and the Nordic Culture Fund. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the parties can participate fully in official Nordic co-operation.

As a rule, interpreting and translation is provided between the Scandinavian languages (Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish) and Finnish and/or Icelandic as needed. Other language combinations are available. In most cases, these are administered through the unit, which works with a broad network of talented freelance interpreters and translators. A special arrangement applies for interpreting in Greenlandic.

Orders for interpreting and translation are to be made from the respective secretariats to the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council, and the Nordic Culture Fund. The secretariats will also assess the need for interpreting or translation based on predetermined guidelines.

Interpreters are commissioned under a framework agreement between them and the Nordic Council of Ministers and are bound by a code of professional ethics. 

The code of professional ethics for interpreters working under the framework agreement on interpreting assignments for the secretariats to the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers is a guide and manual for how we perform our work. The purpose of the code is to ensure satisfactory quality, good interpreting practice, and uniform procedures for interpreting within Nordic co-operation.

1. The interpreter shall reproduce the information as accurately as possible, not leaving out or adding anything. 

2. The interpreter shall convey information impartially and not let their emotions, values, or personal opinions influence their work. The interpreter shall not accept an assignment if they consider themselves disqualified. 

3. The interpreter shall maintain and develop their professional skills. 

4. The interpreter shall behave professionally before, during, and after the interpreting assignment. The interpreter shall not act in a way that harms the profession. The interpreter shall uphold their professional role even after the assignment, for example at a dinner with clients. 

5. The interpreter shall prepare for an interpreting assignment carefully and appropriately. The interpreter shall securely destroy the meeting material so that the information is not disseminated further. 

6. The interpreter has a duty of confidentiality regarding the information that they become party to in performing an interpreting assignment, if said information is not publicly available. The duty of confidentiality also applies after the assignment has ended. 

7. If, in exceptional cases, the interpreter is not interpreting from a hub, they shall ensure that no outsiders (e.g. family members) can hear the interpretation. 

8. The interpreter shall not utilise information obtained in connection with an interpreting assignment to benefit themselves or anyone else. The interpreter shall also not use the information to harm anyone else. 

9. The interpreter shall not perform tasks other than interpreting. 

10. The interpreter shall show respect and trust towards their colleagues. The interpreter shall be collegial and flexible, and co-operate with their interpreter colleagues during the interpreting assignment. Collegiality also includes the interpreter leaving the interpreting booth after the assignment in such a condition that subsequent interpreters can continue interpreting from the booth without having to tidy up first.