For the purpose of this investigation, the term ‘interpreter’ is taken to mean a person who repeats a speech in a different language from that in which it is first pronounced, either simultaneously with, or consecutively to, the original speaker. At a later stage in this thesis, the author goes into the functions which this definition rather surprisingly excludes. She also gives some more information on several types of interpreting, such as radio and theatre and film interpreting; telephone interpreting; and writing interpreting.