The article considers the position of community interpreters at the end of the twentieth century, particularly in light of recent technological developments. The advent of e-mail and the Internet can play a dramatic role in countering the traditional isolation of the community interpreter, by enabling information and opinions to be exchanged worldwide – assuming that the requisite hardware and telecommunications services are available. However, no amount of technology can offset the negative impact of any unhelpful attitudes on the part of the service providers with whom community interpreters work. Various historical English court cases are cited to illustrate a range of situations involving interpreters, and the question is posed as to what extent changes have occurred in user attitudes. The article raises the issue of whether – and if so interpreters themselves should be seeking to bring about more positive attitudes among the clientele who use their services.