This book contains a selection of papers presented at the First Forlì Conference on Interpreting Studies, held on 9-11 November 2000, which saw the participation of leading researchers in the field. The volume offers a comprehensive overview of the current situation and future prospects in interpretation studies, and in the interpreting profession at the beginning of a new century. Topics addressed include not only theoretical and methodological issues, but also applications to training and quality. The range of subjects covered is thus broad and comprehensive. Particular attention is given to the changing profile of the profession, as different modes of interpreting "outside the booth" - i.e. all forms of "dialogue interpreting", as well as interpreting for the media - give rise to new and stimulating research work. The variety of papers in this volume bears witness to the wealth of different perspectives in interpreting studies today. It covers topics of interest to scholars of translation and interpretation studies, professional interpreters, and to anyone interested in language mediation in its theoretical and applied aspects.