'Interpres', one of the Latin terms used to designate translators, has uncertain etymology. It may derive from inter partes or inter pretium. The former describes translation in terms of inter–cultural dialogue; the latter in terms of a business transaction. The authors like this double etymology as it stands and take no sides. In fact, they are convinced the two descriptions are complementary. Manuale di traduzione responds to the recent translation boom in Italy’s higher education, where training and research opportunities are now offered by about 50 institutions, large and small. The opening chapters regard translating as a relentless search for a common ground—and occasionally for conflict—between social groups and individuals. The main theories of translation appeared in the past few decades are reviews and their roots traced in the Western tradition. The rest of this textbook is devoted to translation as a job and a business. It looks at the many forms into which translating has grown in recent years and offers plenty of advice to prepare the readers for the workplace—both in the traditional practice and in neighbouring fields. A presentation of the electronic tools that are radically changing the translation business wraps up the book.