According to the CPC, how should interpreters view clients' autonomy?

The correct understanding of clients' autonomy in the context of the CPC emphasizes the importance of respecting clients’ autonomy and the decisions they make. This principle acknowledges that clients have the right to control their own lives and make their own informed choices. Interpreters are tasked with facilitating communication while honoring the individual rights and self-determination of their clients.

By respecting clients’ autonomy and decisions, interpreters create an environment that promotes trust and empowers clients. This respect is essential to effective interpreting, as it ensures that the clients’ voices and preferences are highlighted rather than overshadowed by external influences or the interpreter’s opinions. The role of the interpreter is not to direct or influence the client’s choices but to provide unbiased support that allows the clients to communicate their needs and decisions clearly.

Other perspectives, such as encouraging clients to follow their guidance or dismissing clients’ decisions when necessary, undermine the fundamental principle of autonomy. These approaches could lead to violation of the client's rights and potentially result in a loss of trust in the interpreter-client relationship. Influencing clients to make different choices also poses ethical concerns, as it risks compromising the integrity of the interpreter’s role and the clients' ability to make choices that best serve their own interests.