Abstract
This paper presents some results of a study carried out among language professionals and businesses in South Tyrol, Italy. This is a bilingual area (German and Italian) where the globalisation of the markets has brought the need to deal with further languages, too. The study aimed at understanding how local businesses cope with the challenges of multilingualism, focussing on multilingual communication, documentation, translation and terminology. We have interviewed a sample of representatives of South Tyrolean businesses to gather their strategies, needs and attitudes towards the linguistic aspects of knowledge management within their organisations. Different trade associations and key experts have contributed with their general impressions. Also local translators and interpreters have added their views on the market. Most companies seem to severely underestimate the importance of multilingual business communication and knowledge management: they follow a strongly pragmatic short-term approach and have not yet developed their full potential in this field.