Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 109 Online version available in : http://arbitrer.fib.unand.ac.id | 2339-1162 (Print) | 2550-1011 (Online) | JURNAL ARBITRER Submission Track A B S T R A C T Received: May 16, 2024 Final Revision: June 14, 2024 Accepted: June 18, 2024 Available Online: June 30, 2024 This study assesses the awareness and understanding of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission (LPTC) / Saudi Arabian Translation Association (SATA) code of ethics amongst translators in Saudi Arabia, along with their degree of compliance exhibited in their practice with respect to specific ethical principles outlined in the code. Factors that may influence ethical code compliance, such as training, experience and organisational support, are examined. A mixed method approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. A self-built questionnaire comprising 39 items was developed based on the Saudi Translators’ Professional Guide. Interviews were also conducted in order to gather data pertaining to factors that influence Saudi translators’ compliance with the ethics code. The findings indicate that Saudi translators have an extremely high awareness of the LPTC/SATA code (mean score 4.33 ± 0.52), with female translators demonstrating a higher degree of compliance than their male counterparts. The length of professional experience marginally affected translators’ divergence in their ethical code adherence, specifically, within the limits of translator competence. Differences were detected between translators with between 6-10 and 11-15 years, between 6-10 and > 20 years, and between 11-15 and > 20 years of experience. Qualitative findings suggested that the challenges which prevent ethical code compliance include an absence of awareness, a lack of the training and the tools required, an inability to balance professional and ethical requisites, as well as translational task complexity. Keywords Assessment, degree of compliance, ethical principles, translator’s professional guide, translators in Saudi Arabia Correspondence E-mail: wagdyrashad@hu.edu.ye Article Assessing the Degree of Compliance with the Ethical Principles of the ‘Translator’s Professional Guide’ amongst Translators in Saudi Arabia Eisa Asiri1, Wagdi Rashad Ali Bin-Hady2, Yousef Sahari3 1Department of Translation, College of Languages and Translation, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia 2Department of English, College of Education, Humanities and Applied Sciences, Hadhramout University, Yemen 3Department of English Language and Literature, College of Arts and Letters, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia Under License of Creative Commons Attributioni-Non Commercial 4.0 International.DOI: https://doi.org/10.25077/ar.11.2.109-122.2024 I. INTRODUCTION Recently, the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission (LPTC), in conjunction with the Saudi Arabian Translation Association (SATA), published a “Translator’s Professional Guide” which offers recommendations for the professional conduct of translators and interpreters in Saudi Arabia (LPTC, 2023). Interestingly, the guide contains a section entitled “Ethics of Translation Profession, and Translator’s Code of Conduct”, which outlines the ethical principles and standards that practitioners are expected to adhere to in their translation and interpreting assignments. As part of the “Vision 2030” strategic blueprint, which is currently being refined by the Saudi Government in order to foster economic diversification and to attract foreign investment and tourism, there is a pronounced focus on broadening the scope of translation services provided by national professional bodies (Alzahrani, 2017), such as translation centres, publishers and government institutions, as well as individual freelancers. Despite the Ministry of Commerce issuing regulations for obtaining licences for translation agencies (Aldossary, 2023), there remains a conspicuous absence of guidelines governing the professional conduct and Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 110 standards of translators, underscoring the need for a comprehensive code of ethics in this predominantly nationalised profession. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has taken key steps to regulate and manage the translation industry by establishing the LPTC, the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, founded in 2020. Tipton (2024) defines translation ethics as the moral values and reflections which underpin and direct the practice of both translation and interpreting. This area covers both the responsibilities of translators, and the ethical inferences of their work. Among the issues tackled in this field are faithfulness to the original text (Hermans, 2009), the role of the translator in cultural mediation (Drugan & Tipton, 2017), and how translators’ decisions and choices impact on a range of stakeholders, including authors, audiences and society as a whole (Peters et al., 2020).Translation ethics is a field which has been growing and changing over time, with the mid- 1990s seeing a major swing away from focussing on texts to translators – which, in turn, emphasised the importance of ethical practise (Piróth & Baker, 2020). As the field of translation ethics continues to develop and expand, the discussion swivels away from purely theoretical frameworks to the concrete ethical responsibilities of translators. This trend mirrors a broader range of personal, societal and professional factors and concerns which shape the critical role translators play in society (LPTC, 2023). The literature comprehensively documents the ongoing debate about the ethical responsibilities of translators. While Chesterman (2021) and Pym (2021) assert that translators’ ethical obligations are limited to the professionalism of their translation work, Cronin (2003), Tymoczko (2009) and Rossi (2021) argue that they also have responsibilities in the sociocultural and political context. Robinson (2003) and Kruger and Crots (2014) note that personal ethics have now become an integral element of the discipline. According to Inghilleri (2009), in order to get a thorough understanding of the role of the translator, any assessment of translation should include an analysis of ethical responsibility, social activism and personal integrity. Over the last ten years the ethical aspects of translation have increasingly been highlighted, resulting in a subtler and more graded understanding of the ethical issues facing translators, and a stronger emphasis on the need to ensure translators live up to their ethical responsibilities. This is a vital development, since it is a preliminary step in drawing up a code of ethics which will serve as a benchmark for professional conduct. According to ethical codes, translators have a number of roles, and it is the codes which provide the principles which guide professional conduct in the fields of both translation and interpreting (Baixauli- Olmos, 2021; Floros, 2021). The codes usually define the main responsibilities and professional standards translators are required to reflect in their practice. Mulayim and Lai (2016) note that one key ethical responsibility of translators is to ensure they transmit meaning between people and cultures faithfully, precisely and without bias. In order to do so, translators have to respect the authenticity of the source and concurrently bear in mind the target audience’s cultural and linguistic preferences (Boukhelef & Djadani, 2023). Munday (2012) agrees, pointing out that translators must maintain a high degree of professional competence, while simultaneously making sure that their translations are culturally appropriate, as well as linguistically correct. One of the main ethical responsibilities of translators is to maintain confidentiality and trust. Ozolins (2015) points out that translators are often entrusted with sensitive information and have a duty to defend their clients’ privacy by safeguarding any restricted materials they deal with in their work. Liu (2021) notes that translators should establish professional relationships with their clients, colleagues and any other stakeholders, by demonstrating integrity and honesty. In order to do so they must be truthful when disclosing their qualifications and level of expertise, and abide by what has been agreed in their contracts and terms of service. Baixauli-Olmos (2021) showed how ethical codes stress the importance of continuous professional development and remaining abreast of advances in the field, such as technological literacy. This enables translators not only to offer a high-quality service, but also to master the ever-changing needs and demands of the profession. Mahdi and Ibraheem (2016) state that the fact translators’ ethical codes are open to interpretation allows translators the flexibility and moral independence to tackle ethical problems in a judicious and thoughtful way. Professional ethics documentation sets out Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 111 to support practitioners in reflecting on their aims and objectives, and making wise and workable decisions when faced with complex situations. To summarise, the ethical code recommends that translators should commit to accuracy, loyalty, confidentiality, professional integrity, continuous professional learning and the well-judged application of ethical principles, so that they are able to overcome any challenges which they may encounter in their professional capacity. The degree of ethical code compliance is reflected by Baixauli- Olmos (2021, p. 311), who notes: “the documents guiding translation and interpreting professional practice are only texts and need to be autonomously applied by individual practitioners; they are to be applied with professional judgment, which is based on knowledge gained through formal training, professional experience or in socialisation with colleagues.” This suggests that whilst the code of ethics provides a framework, the actual decision-making lies with the professionals themselves. The efficacy of the guidelines is also influenced by the acknowledgement and support of the advocating professional bodies. According to Hale (2007) “much more than the mere existence of a code of ethics is needed in order to ensure quality of interpreting services,”(p.103). This perspective reflects the fact that compliance is not solely dependent on the existence of codes but also on the broader professional environment and the resources available for ethical education and enforcement. Baixauli-Olmos (2021, p.301) describes the process of developing a code of ethics as a dynamic progression which mirrors the profession’s shared values. To begin with, a professional organisation may draw up a general document, which is termed “code of ethics” or “of professional responsibility”, which lists fundamental values and principles. This can be followed by more specific and detailed documents, such as “standards of practice”, which offer practical guidelines on how the published principles can be applied. The sequential and normative connection between the documents indicates that compliance may change over time to accommodate how the profession hones its ethical guidance. Thus, while codes of ethics are essential for laying down norms within a profession, the degree to which individuals comply with these codes depends on their applicability, whether or not professional organisations support the codes, and individuals’ ability to deduce what they mean, and apply them across various professional contexts. Recent studies on translation ethics have highlighted the importance of having an ethical code for translators. Asiri et al. (2023) argue that ethics is a complex and multi-layered concept which is shaped by a number of factors and cannot be reduced to one, single driving force. The study’s findings indicate that translators tend to prioritise personal ethics over professional or societal principles. This conclusion suggests that the motivation for ethical behaviour may differ, depending on context. Li (2023) has analysed Chinese translation ethics, using the ecological model of translation, an approach which shows that incorrect ethical viewpoints are often at the root of inaccurate translations. The study supports the introduction of a positive translation ecology, improving the ethics and the values in this model, in order to enhance the accuracy of translations. A study conducted by Nejad and Nejad (2016) found that age had a significant effect on whether or not Iranian translators were open to accepting imposed ethical codes, whereas gender did not have an impact on participants’ awareness of ethical codes. Ran (2023) examined the role played by personal ethics in the conduct of legal interpreters and translators, and the importance of abiding by a formal ethical code integrated into their practice. This would enable professionals to ensure that they apply ethical principles when carrying out their translations and interpretation work. Pym (2021) added that translation ethics are based on interaction between risk, trust and cooperation, describing the latter as trying to achieve shared benefits, a vital task for maintaining intercultural relations, and an important aim in translator ethics. The notion of risk requires recognising and devising strategies against possible failures in realising these mutual benefits. In this framework, trust is essential, since lack of trust can prevent the translator from collaborating efficiently and interacting with others. Koskinen and Pokorn (2020) analysed how academic and professional institutions integrate ethical issues into the education of translators and interpreters. They stressed the main educational aspects of teaching ethics, and evaluated the historical importance of a range of institutions within this context. Their work involved a detailed discussion regarding the ethical theories that should be imparted to students, strategies for critically evaluating ethical behaviour in various subjects and Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 112 techniques, and the most effective theoretical and methodological tools for guiding ethical decision- making processes. In a notable study, Lee and Yun (2020) gauged the client-interpreter dynamic, stressing the critical role of establishing trust in ethical codes. They highlighted that translation, whilst an individual task, has a broader social impact, necessitating a focus on ethical goals that promote community cohesion. They concluded that the moral tenets and standards embraced by translators should be aligned with the societal norms within their professional context. Although earlier work is undoubtedly of value, there are, to date, there has been no research which has examined the degree of compliance with the LPTC/SATA code of ethics and conduct amongst translators in Saudi Arabia. The current research, therefore, will investigate this topic within the setting of Saudi Arabia, and is the first study to do so as far as the authors are aware. The overarching theme across these studies emphasises the critical need to examine compliance with these ethical codes as well as the challenges associated with their implementation, especially in light of the new professional guide in Saudi Arabia. The current research endeavours to bridge the gap between understanding translation ethics and their application within the industry. It poses questions about the degree of compliance and the factors facilitating ethical practices in translation. Research questions 1. What is the level of awareness and understanding of the LPTC/SATA code of ethics amongst translators in Saudi Arabia? 2. Are there statistical differences in Saudi translators’ awareness of the LPTC/SATA code of ethics which could be attributed to gender or years of experience? 3. What factors, such as training, experience and organisational support, influence compliance with the LPTC/SATA code of ethics amongst translators in Saudi Arabia? 4. What are the challenges and barriers faced by translators in Saudi Arabia when adhering to the LPTC/SATA code of ethics? II. METHODS Research design This research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. This strategy enables the drawbacks associated with either a quantitative or qualitative design alone to be overcome. Saudi translators were recruited to take part in this study, which was carried out during 2024. Participants The study included a convenience sample of Saudi translators with a diverse range of practical and professional experiences. Following an explanation of the study purpose, a Google form questionnaire was shared with the Saudi translators for a period of two weeks, i.e. from January 9 to January 19, 2024. The participants were reminded during this period to complete the questionnaire, and 42 translators responded. This research adhered to ethical guidelines for conducting research involving human subjects, including obtaining informed consent from all participants, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity, and protecting subjects’ rights throughout all stages of data collection and analysis. Seventeen males and 25 females took part in the study (Table 1). 42.9% of the participants were translators with between 1 and 5 years of practising experience, suggesting that this sample population was enriched with new graduate translators. 19% participants had more than 20 years of translation experience, implying that this profession is not new in Saudi Arabia. The lowest percentage (9.5%) of translators was those with between 11 and 15 years of experience. Table 1. Participants’ gender and years of experiences in practising translation Variables Category Frequency Percentage Gender Male 17 40.5% Female 25 59.5% Total 42 100.0% Years of experience in practising translation 1-5 18 42.9% 6-10 6 14.3% 11-15 4 9.5% 16-20 6 14.3% More than 20 8 19.0% Total 42 100.0% Instruments Questionnaire The questionnaire completed by the 42 Saudi practising translators was designed to assess their Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 113 awareness, understanding and compliance with the LPTC/SATA code of ethics. The questionnaire was based on 5-point frequency scales, where 1 represented fully not complaint, and 5, fully compliant. The questionnaire had two parts. The first was set out in order to collect demographic information about the sample, including gender and years of experience. The second part was designed to gauge the translators’ degree of awareness about complying with the LPTC/SATA code of ethics. The items were developed from the Professional Guide for Translators (LPTC, 2023). Six categories pertaining to aspects of the participants’ practices were included which contained differing numbers of research items: (i) competence, 3 items; (ii) professional confidentiality, 5 items; (iii) impartiality, 7 items; (iv) accuracy, 6 items; (v) role boundaries, 8 items; and (vi) professional conduct and behaviour, 11 items. The questionnaire was validated by sending it to four university professors specialising in Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies for their comments. They compared the translation version of the questionnaire with the Arabic code of ethics in the guide, and recommended corrections to be performed with respect to 14 items. The majority of their corrections focused on clarity of structure and word choice, and these were incorporated into the questionnaire in accordance with the reviewers’ suggestions. Reliability statistic Table 2 displays the reliability statistics of the questionnaire items. The total reliability of the questionnaire was 0.884, reflecting extremely strong reliability and indicating the trustworthiness of the measure. The reliability scores for the various dimensions were acceptable, and in descending order: translator’s professional conduct and behaviour, α= 0.823; translator’s impartiality α=0.809; translator’s professional confidentiality, α= 0.797; clarity of translator’s role boundaries, α=0.703; translator’s accuracy, α=0.646; and translator’s competence, α=0.581. Interview Interviews were conducted with a subset of 7 purposively selected survey respondents, who were willing to share their ideas about the challenges that prevent application of the LPTC/SATA code of ethics in Saudi Arabia, in order to gain deeper insights into their experiences of ethical decision- making and compliance. The interviews allowed participants to elaborate on their perspectives and to share specific examples relating to ethical dilemmas that they had encountered in their practice. They also yielded insight into the factors that influence application of the LPTC/SATA code of ethics. Two questions, i.e. the third and fourth research questions from the study, were posed to the interviewed participants. The translators were interviewed remotely. Each participant gave consent for their interview to be recorded, and for the data to be transcribed. Data analysis Quantitative data from the survey were analysed using descriptive statistics so as to assess overall awareness, understanding and compliance with specific ethical principles outlined in the LPTC/SATA code of ethics. Inferential analysis was also obtained in order to identify any differences in translators’ levels of awareness according to their gender. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to detect any differences in translators’ level of ethical code awareness based on their number of years of practical experience in the translation industry. Qualitative data from the interviews were subjected to thematic analysis in order to identify common themes relating to: (i) factors influencing compliance with the LPTC/SATA code of ethics; and (ii) the challenges faced by translators in upholding these ethical standards. The researchers transcribed the interviews into written form. Each transcription was read many times, and initial and subsequently emerging codes were identified from each transcript. This process was repeated by a second researcher so as to ensure the validity of the coding. Similar codes were grouped together under a subcategory of the major theme. With respect to the factors that help in complying with the code Table 2. Reliability statistics Dimensions Number of Items Cronbach’s Alpha 1. Translator’s competence 3 0.581 2. Translator’s professional confidentiality 5 0.797 3. Translator’s impartiality 7 0.809 4. Translator’s accuracy 5 0.646 5. Clarity of Translator’s Role Boundaries 8 0.703 6. Translators’ professional conduct & behaviour 11 0.823 Total 39 0.884 Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 114 of ethics, two subcategories were identified, i.e. training experience and organisational support. Four subcategories pertaining to challenges emerged, i.e. lack of awareness, lack of training and tools, balancing between profession and ethics, and complexity of work. The frequencies of the similar codes were counted. III. RESULTS Saudi translators’ level of awareness of the LPTC/SATA code of ethics It was found that Saudi translators have an extremely high awareness of the LPTC/SATA code of ethics with a general mean ± standard deviation score of 4.33 ± 0.52 (Table 3). The highest (4.54 ± 0.381) and lowest (4.13 ± 0.614) scores related to the dimensions of translators’ professional conduct and behaviour, and translator’s impartiality, respectively, although all the scores were considered to be high. Awareness of LPTC/SATA Code of Ethics among Saudi Translators by Gender and Experience Significant differences (calculated by a t-test) were observed between Saudi male and female translators with respect to their ethical code compliance (Table 4). Females (4.48 ± 0.348) outperformed their male (4.14 ± 0.453) counterparts (t = -2.742, p = 0.009). This gender difference was seen in 3 dimensions, i.e. translator’s professional confidentiality (p = 0.010), translator’s accuracy (0.012), and translator’s professional conduct and behaviour (p = 0.025). One-way ANOVA was used to identify the compliance of Saudi translators with the codes of ethics according to the duration of their practical experience, Table 5. Only the dimension of translator’s competence exhibited a significant difference (f = 2.776, p = 0.041). In order to ascertain the comparisons that this difference could Table 3. Saudi translators’ awareness of the LPTC/SATA code of ethics Dimensions N Mean Std. Deviation Translator’s competence 42 4.46 0.509 Translator’s professional confidentiality 42 4.28 0.684 Translator’s impartiality 42 4.13 0.614 Translator’s accuracy 42 4.27 0.495 Clarity of translator’s role boundaries 42 4.35 0.452 Translators’ professional conduct & behaviour 42 4.54 0.381 Average 42 4.33 0.52 Table 4. Saudi translators’ compliance with the LPTC/SATA ethical code of ethics according to gender Dimensions Gender N Mean Std. Deviation t df Sig. (2-tailed) Translator’s competence Male 17 4.28 0.606 -1.952- 40 0.058 Female 25 4.58 0.400 Translator’s professional confidentiality Male 17 3.96 0.816 -2.690- 40 0.010 Female 25 4.50 0.483 Translator’s impartiality Male 17 3.94 0.771 -1.768- 40 0.085 Female 25 4.27 0.449 Translator’s accuracy Male 17 4.04 0.415 -2.644- 40 0.012 Female 25 4.43 0.492 Clarity of translator’s role boundaries Male 17 4.25 0.461 -1.623- 40 0.112 Female 25 4.46 0.374 Translator’s professional conduct and behaviour Male 17 4.38 0.357 -2.329- 40 0.025 Female 25 4.64 0.366 Total Male 17 4.14 0.453 -2.742- 40 0.009Female 25 4.48 0.348 Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 115 Table 5. Saudi translators’ compliance with the LPTC/SATA ethical code according to experience duration Dimensions Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. Translator’s competence Between Groups 2.456 4 0.614 2.776 0.041Within Groups 8.185 37 0.221 Total 10.641 41 Translator’s professional confidentiality Between Groups 0.383 4 0.096 0.188 0.943Within Groups 18.828 37 0.509 Total 19.211 41 Translator’s impartiality Between Groups 1.308 4 0.327 0.853 0.501Within Groups 14.182 37 0.383 Total 15.489 41 Translator’s accuracy Between Groups 1.410 4 0.352 1.504 0.221Within Groups 8.667 37 0.234 Total 10.076 41 Clarity of translator’s role boundaries Between Groups .906 4 0.226 1.327 0.278Within Groups 6.313 37 0.171 Total 7.219 41 Translator’s professional conduct & behaviour Between Groups .528 4 0.132 0.896 0.476Within Groups 5.453 37 0.147 Total 5.981 41 Table 6. Differences in Saudi translators’ competence Dependent Variable (I) Years of experience in practising translation (J) Years of experiences in practising translation Mean Difference (I-J) Sig. Translator’s competence 6-10 1-5 -0.42593- 0.062 11-15 -0.66667-* 0.034 16-20 -0.44444- 0.110 >20 -0.81250-* 0.003 Table 7. Factors influencing compliance with the code of ethics amongst translators in Saudi Arabia Research Question/ Analytical Category Subcategory Example of initial code with frequencies [number of responses endorsing each subcategory] Factors 1. Training experience 1. Formal training and practical experience [5] 2. Awareness of cultural and global issues [2] 3. Qualifying translation students in both languages is essential [1] 2. Organisational support 4. Organisational support has been a cornerstone of my professional development [2] 5.Monitoring trainees at translation training centres during their studying years [1] 6.Establishing training opportunities for novice translators [2] be attributed to, post hoc tests were performed, Table 6. The post hoc tests indicated that differences existed between translators with 6-10 years and 11-15 years of experience (I-J value = -0.66667, p =0.034), and between those with 6-10 years and over 20 years of experience, with the latter exhibiting higher compliance (I-J value = -0.81250, p = 0.003). Factors influence Saudi translators’ compliance with the LPTC/SATA code of ethics Compliance with the LPTC/SATA code of ethics was found to be influenced by comprehensive training and education, practical experience in Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 116 the field, and vital organisational support from translation agencies and professional associations, who provided resources for ethical training and fostered an ethos which values ethical practice. Table 7 identifies the two influential factors that impact translators from complying with the LPTC/SATA codes of ethics: training experience is the first and organizational support is the second. The first themes, i.e., training experience has emerged in 8 responses. Interviewee 4 mentioned, “in addition to my formal training and practical experience, my personal integrity and commitment to code of ethics play a major role in my adherence to the LPTC/SATA code of ethics”. Furthermore, another factor is getting aware with the culture and global issues to comply with the LPTC/SATA codes of ethics. “My awareness of cultural and global issues and my understanding to cultural contexts is crucial in maintaining the high ethical standards set by the LPTC/SATA code, “ Interviewee 6 added. Training should also focus on both language pairs. Interviewee 2 confirmed, “qualifying translation students in both languages and not limiting them to English or neglecting the Arabic language are essential. When translation students graduate, they will enter the translation job market, and they may face challenges in certain aspects”. The second subcategory was organisational support, which was evident in 5 responses. Interviewee 1 commented, “organisational support has been a cornerstone of my professional development. The support I’ve received from translation agencies, professional associations, and other institutions has been vital”. This can also be achieved with the help of some translation agencies. Interviewee 3 opined, “monitoring trainees at translation training institutions during their university training period is crucial, as some institutions may assign them other administrative tasks instead of or in addition to translation tasks”. Training novice translators under the guidance of professional ones is essential. Interviewee 3 added, creating training opportunities for novice translators to work with or under the supervision of professional translators and helping them apply the guidelines in practice is important”. To sum up, two factors were induced to influence the compliance of Saudi translation to adhering to the LPTC/SATA code of ethics. The first is formal training while the second in organizational support. Challenges and barriers faced by translators in Saudi Arabia when adhering to the LPTC/SATA code of ethics Translators in Saudi Arabia face challenges owing to a lack of awareness regarding translation tools, difficulties in maintaining confidentiality, and limited access to specialised resources. They also struggle with balancing personal beliefs and professional ethics, reconciling ethical codes with diverse contexts, and dealing with the complexity of translating legal, technical or medical texts across different languages and cultures, Table 8. Challenges in following the LPT/SATA code of ethics in the Saudi context can be classified into 4 subcategories, which emerged in 9 initial codes. The first challenge resulted from the lack of a translator’s awareness of the translation profession, a perspective evident in 2 responses. Interviewee 2 suggested, “lack of awareness among non-specialists in translation about the nature of the translation process and the tools needed by Table 8. Challenges faced by translators when adhering to the code of ethics in Saudi Arabia Analytical Category Descriptive Category Example of initial code [number of responses endorsing each subcategory] Challenges 1. Lack of awareness 1. Lack of awareness about the translation profession [2] 2. A lack of professional tests or accreditations for Saudi translators [2] 2. Lack of training and tools 3. Limited access to resources or reference materials [2] 4. Translators may not have sufficient knowledge about the LPTC/SATA code of ethics [1] 3. Balancing between profession and ethics 5. The need to suppress personal ethics in professional settings [3] 6. I encounter a tough balancing act between my personal beliefs and the professional ethics required in translations [2] 7. Challenging to maintain confidentiality when working with multiple clients or within organisations [1] 4. Complexity of work 8. Translation work here is diverse and complex [2] 9. Qualified translators are involved in other academic or administrative work [1] Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 117 translators.” Interviewee 3 added, “translators may not have sufficient knowledge about the LPTC/SATA code of ethics or its importance in their profession.” This lack of awareness may be a result of recruiting translators without being obliged to test their skills, a view which occurred in 2 responses. “There is no clear standard for selecting a qualified translator for an employer other than the translator’s reputation,” Interviewee 2 argued. Another challenge arose from the lack of training and tools required, which was observed in 3 responses. “Limited access to resources, such as specialised dictionaries, glossaries, or reference materials, is another barrier for translators in Saudi Arabia,” Interviewee 3 reported. The third type of challenge is the lack of being able to obtain a balance between professional and ethical requisites, an issue noted in 5 responses. “One of the main challenges is the need to suppress my personal ethics in professional settings, particularly when translating texts that may be offensive or contradict my beliefs,” Interviewee 5 mentioned. Finally, the complexity of work was deemed to be a challenge, a view evident in 3 responses. “The nature of translation work here is diverse and complex, often requiring us to navigate between different languages and cultures,” Interviewee 1 opined. Interviewee 6 confirmed, “qualified translators in Saudi Arabia are involved in other academic or administrative work, and thus, time constraints inevitably affect the translation process.” In summary, certain issues prevent Saudi translators to compile to the code of ethics, they are: lack of awareness, lack of training and tools, balancing between profession and ethics and complexity of work. IV. DISCUSSION This investigation delves into the awareness of translators in Saudi Arabia regarding the need for compliance with the LPTC/SATA code of ethics whilst practising translation. Results of the study show that Saudi translators have an extremely high mean awareness score (4.33 ± 0.52) in relation to the code of ethics. Reporting high awareness of the code of ethics implies obeying these regulations while doing the translation industry. This outcome is indicative of the strict Saudi authority legislation which governs the required commitment to professional ethics by working translators. This result agreed with Piróth and Baker’s (2020) ideas that the field of translation after 1990 witnessed great emphases on complying to ethic practice. However, this finding contradicts those of Lotfollahi et al. (2020) who found that Iranian translators were unable to comply with a code of ethics whilst performing translation tasks. This analysis went forward to explore the level of awareness between female Saudi translators to the code of ethics. The finding indicates that female translators outperform males (in three dimensions out of six) with respect to their level of awareness of the LPTC/SATA code. This result reflects the readiness and trustworthiness of female translators with respect to the translation profession. Females are more reliable and authentic in doing the translation tasks. However, this is just a claim which needs justification. This claim aligns with Roxas and Stoneback (2004) who found that females varies in their ethical orientation in comparison with males. They reported that females obey ethics higher than males. On the contrary, these results do not agree with those reported by Nejad and Nejad (2016), who found that gender does not have an impact on the awareness of Iranian translators and their familiarity with the translators’ code of ethics. The study reported that translator’s number of years of experience impact their complying with ethical code. This was clearly found in the of translator’s competence dimension. Finding reported difference between those translators with experience durations of 6-10 vs. 11-15 years of experience, and between 6-10 years vs. >20 years of experience. This finding can be interpreted that this group of translators with 6-10 years of experiences are in their productivity. They understand what it means to practice the translation profession while keeping an eye of complying to the codes of ethics. This is confirmed by Nejad and Nejad (2016) who also noted that age played an important role in the commitment of Iranian translators to the code of ethics. The study also observed the challenges in following the code of ethics by translators in Saudi Arabia. Findings subcategorised these challenges into a lack of awareness, a lack of training and tools required, an inability to balance between profession and ethics, and the complexity of the translation work. This aligns with Asiri et al. (2023) who found that translators in Saudi Arabia face medium challenges in applying the code of ethics. Such findings have implications for Saudi university departments of translation. The latter are required to supervise their students with respect to Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 118 the necessity of applying the code of ethics whilst carrying out translation tasks. The study determined that training experience and organisational support were factors that influenced ethical code adherence. Drugan and Megone (2011) reported similar findings, and argued that training in ethics for upcoming translators is becoming increasingly crucial, given that graduates will operate in an environment of reduced trade barriers, heightened competition amongst translators, globalised business methods, crowdsourcing, and in the setting of expanding public discussions on ethical consumerism. Koskinen and Pokorn (2020) claimed that ethical issues should be incorporated into translators’ education. Policy-makers and agencies therefore need to train translators to apply the LPTC/SATA ethical code in practice, and to integrate theory into their daily work. In order to address these challenges, policy makers and translation agencies could consider implementing the following measures: (i) development of enhanced training programmes, which not only cover the LPTC/SATA code in depth, but also provide practical guidance on how to apply the code in day-to-day translation work, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application; (ii) provision of tools and resources, e.g. access to relevant literature, case studies demonstrating ethical dilemmas in translation, and forums for discussion and advice, in order to facilitate ethical code compliance; and (iii) establishment of a continuous support system for translators, e.g. regular workshops or seminars on ethics in translation, and platforms for translators to share experiences and to learn from each other. V. CONCLUSION This study investigated the adherence of translators in Saudi Arabia to the LPTC/SATA code of ethics, and determined that participants exhibited a high degree of compliance. These findings illustrate the importance placed by Saudi institutions on implementing the translation ethical code within the Kingdom in order to safeguard the profession against malpractice. Saudi Arabia is progressing towards diversifying sources of incomes so as to ensure a high-quality existence for current and future generations. Results also indicate the status of women in the Kingdom’s Vision, as females in the study demonstrated a higher ethical code compliance than males in some dimensions. It is therefore recommended that the education of translation students continues, and that translation companies assist novice translators in understanding and paying attention to the code of ethics whilst carrying out their work. Further studies are suggested in order to investigate the true degree of ethical code adherence in practice, as well as the regulations that translation companies depend on when appointing translators for specific jobs. There is also a pressing need for an inquiry into the level of compliance with ethical codes by freelancers when they carry out translation tasks with colleagues beyond Saudi Arabia’s borders. Acknowledgement This research received grant number (121/2023) from the Arab Observatory for Translation (an affiliate of ALECSO), which is supported by the Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission in Saudi Arabia. REFERENCES Aldossary, H. S. M. (2023). Translation technology and CAT tools: addressing gaps between pedagogy and the translation industry in Saudi Arabia (Doctoral dissertation). University of Leeds. Alzahrani, A. (2017). Markets and language policy in Saudi Arabia: how the English language can contribute to the success of the Saudi vision 2030. 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I generally refrain from providing any information about the translation tasks I work on. 4.1429 1.02580 5. I commit to non-disclosure agreements (NDA), whether I have already signed it or not. 4.1667 .93487 6. I refrain from any form of exploitation of the private information that I learn during the completion of the translation task. 4.3571 1.00781 7. I maintain the confidentiality of my translation industry colleagues. 4.4524 .73923 8. I am obligated, in cases of necessity, to cooperate with the competent regulatory, security and judicial authorities. 4.3095 .86920 Translators’ Im partiality 9. I maintain a “safe” emotional and mental distance from both the translation material that I undertake to complete, and from the client who owns the material or requests 3.9286 1.04515 10. I refrain from adding any notes for the benefit of the client with the aim of achieving a specific interest, whether material or moral. 4.1190 .96783 11. I commit not to modify the content of the translation in any way based on my opinions, whims, and personal inclinations. 3.8571 1.09481 12. I do not accept the translation of any work that contradicts my belief and intellectual values fearing of not being able to convey the author’s intent. 4.1429 .87154 13. I apologize for completing the translation task if at one of the stages of the work I felt unable to maintain the required impartiality. 4.0952 .82075 14. I clearly disclose any conflict of interests caused by the required translation task that results in achieving a material or moral interest. 4.5000 .67173 15. In all circumstances, I express my respect for different cultures and religions from the social and religious values of Saudi society. 4.3333 .75439 Translator’s A ccuracy 16. I transfer the translated text from the source language without deleting, adding or discarding anything, except as required by the target language in its expressive forms and specific cultural contents. 4.4762 .67130 17. I use appropriate linguistic skills to convey the translated text in a way that suits its topic and style. 4.5000 .55216 18. I use resources to help me understand what is being translated correctly to optimally transfer it into the target language. 4.4286 .63025 19. I immediately take the initiative to correct any error in my translation when I notice it without hesitation. 4.0714 .80828 20. I do not resort to abbreviating the contents and meanings or to interpreting them except after the express approval of the client. 3.9048 1.07770 Eisa Asiri / Jurnal Arbitrer - Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024) 122 C larity of Translator’s R ole B oundaries 21. I avoid playing the role of advisor towards the beneficiary client 4.0000 1.14764 22. I refrain from assuming the role of an evaluator of the subject matter and content of the translation. 4.6667 .47712 23. I respect all parties involved in the translation task or participating in its completion, and respect their roles. 4.2143 .64527 24. If I am asked to carry out other work on the sidelines of the task assigned to me, it is my duty to explain my role to the concerned party, and remind them of my professional capacity and the limits of my role. 4.4524 .67000 25. In all circumstances, I always strive to perform my role in the best professional manner. 4.4286 .63025 26. I adhere to the work formulas and protocols requested by the beneficiary party. 4.3571 .65598 27. I bear the responsibility resulting from the nature of the work entrusted to me and make the decisions required by that responsibility. 4.2381 .87818 28. I refrain from delegating someone else to do the work I pledged to do in my place. 4.6429 .57685 Translator’s professional conduct & behaviour 29. I refrain from any action that violates teachings of the Islamic religion. 4.5000 .59469 30. I make sure my appearance is appropriate to the nature of the work and general taste. 4.5952 .49680 31. I always practice tact and respect when dealing with colleagues in the profession, clients and other parties involved in translation work. 4.5476 .59274 32. I maintain friendliness and cooperation within the scope of work without discrimination, contempt or belittlement. 4.3571 .82111 33. I avoid everything that leads to provocation, incitement, and exaggeration of problems and disagreements that may arise in the field of work. 4.6667 .47712 34. I carry out the tasks and respect the ethics of the profession and the rules of good behaviour. 4.4762 .63392 35. I do not exchange information with colleagues in the profession about ongoing translation projects via unsecured means of communication. 4.5238 .55163 36. I bear responsibility for the quality of work, whether I am a self- employed, an employee of an institution, or through a contract with it. 4.4762 .67130 37. I refrain from accepting the translation of works whose contents, functions and objectives do not fit with the translation regulations, its societal message, and its value and ethical conditions. 4.6667 .61154 38. I do not accept bribery or tolerate it in any way. 4.5952 .62701 39. I refrain from translating materials that disturb societal peace and security. 4.3469 .42366