Is a B Language an Asset on the Private Market for Interpreters with less Widely Spoken A Languages? - The Case of German A and Italian A Interpreters Based in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland

This thesis focuses on the importance for interpreters with German or Italian A languages to offer one or more B language(s), and aims to determine which are the most frequent. The market for less widely spoken A languages, such as German or Italian, is rather restricted, and a B language may be an asset. Interpreting into B is, in fact, increasingly in demand, especially on the private market. As English and French are widely used in conferences, they are the most suitable B languages to enhance the interpreter's profile. Our research is limited to the private markets in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. The sample is professional conference interpreters with German or Italian A based in these countries and members of AIIC, or of major national interpreting associations. The method adopted is analytical