Interpreti e guerre – Il caso italiano durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale

The aim of the following dissertation is to analyze the presence of interpreters during World War II in Italy to shed light on their origins, lives and work. This is the first investigation on the matter in Italy, and it also brings together two under-researched fields of interpreting studies, namely the history of the profession and conflict-zone interpretation. For this purpose, the research has been carried out on paper and digital documents, mainly historiographies, memoires, biographies, and an interview with a direct witness. The thesis is organized into five chapters. The first chapter offers a framework on interpreting history, with a focus on the history of interpreting in conflict zones, by analyzing the presence of interpreters from the first testimonies to today. Chapter two, on the contrary, provides an overview of the profession in current times by observing deontological complexities of the job, risks faced by interpreters in conflict zones nowadays, and, furthermore, by underpinning the importance of relevant training. In the third chapter, the peculiar context of Italian WWII is described to present its most outstanding events and introduce the reader to the specific setting in which the interpreters - mentioned in the subsequent chapter - worked. As a matter of fact, chapter four displays the research results, dividing interpreters in consistent categories, such as interpreters for the Allies, for the occupying forces and in concentration camps. It offers a description of interpreters and their work, with detailed biographic information and a focus on the consequences and implications of their tasks. Finally, chapter five draws some conclusions and suggests some reflections for future research and follow-up studies.