ABSTRACT
In diplomatic negotiations, “an interpreter who knows not only the language but also the politics, personalities and culture of a particular situation can be a unique asset”. Translators who deal with documentation at international conferences are key in spreading the main ideas of those events. Metanarratives are used by powerful entities (countries or groups) to legitimise authority, power or even social traditions, and they influence how people see and understand the world. The origins of consecutive conference interpreting can be traced back to the 1919 Paris Peace Conference and to the period between the two world wars. It is important to highlight that French and English were official languages, not only at high-level meetings but also in sessions devoted to assessing specific topics and even during unofficial bilateral talks taking place between conference participants. There are several aspects in the Treaty of Versailles that are worth analysing.
