The Belgian Interpreter Corps (“Corps des Interprètes”) and Emerging Profiles of Interpreters During the First World War

Abstract

Translators, interpreters, ad hoc mediators, and fixers play crucial roles in warfare, though they are often overlooked in historical accounts. The influences that in-field experiences in such situations have had on their professionalisation are also often overlooked. The First World War is a significant period for studying the early forms of the interpreting profession. Interpreters, especially from the Belgian Interpreter Corps, facilitated communication among allied forces and local populations, although their work is poorly documented. This chapter examines archival evidence to shed light on military decision-making about interpreter provisions and its impact on interpreter positioning as the conflict evolved. The chapter connects these findings to research in First World War historiography and the broader history of interpreting and further validates the use of historical documents to understand interpreters in conflict zones.