Interpreters: role and responsibilities of the profession throughout history

The figure of the interpreter has been present since antiquity. Records related to the use of interpreting in the history locate the practice in ancient Egypt around 3000 BC. The aim of this thesis is to make a historical excursus on the development of their role from antiquity to the present day. After highlighting the events that led to the Paris conference, which is regarded as an epochal milestone in conference interpretation, an analysis is introduced related to the important contributions made by interpreters in the concentration camps, as well as those who interpreted for Hitler. Thereafter, the emergence of simultaneous interpretation with the Nuremberg Trials is outlined. Finally, the developments of the profession are described starting from the birth of the UN to the risks of war interpreters in the 21st century.