THE TRANSLATION OF THE NEPSY-II TO AFRIKAANS, SOME ETHICAL REFLECTIONS

Written by Knut DALEN, Finn JELLESTAD, Kamal KAMALOODIEN on 10 September 2007. Posted in Special issue: Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychology, Guest Editors: Laura VISU-PETRA, Oana BENGA, Volume XI, Nr. 3

ABSTRACT

This article discusses the ethical considerations that emerged in relation to the translation of the neuropsychological assessment battery, NEPSY-II, from English to Afrikaans, and the use of The Ethical Principles for Nordic Psychologists (EPNP) in a South African context. The Western Cape Province of South Africa, where the majority of the inhabitants are Afrikaans speaking, has the highest prevalence rate of fetal alcohol syndrome in the world. The need for a proper, appropriate and simple assessment tool in the Afrikaans language necessitated the translation of the NEPSY-II. The ethical considerations are discussed in relation to the principles of respect for the clientï¿½s right and dignity, competence, responsibility and integrity, as formulated in the EPNP.

KEYWORDS: breaching of confidentiality, consent-capacity, professional-ethics, research-ethics.