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Interpreting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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interpreting

[ɪnˈtɜː.prɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

communication

To interpret means to explain the meaning of something or to understand something in a particular way.

Synonyms

decipher, explain, understand.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
interpreting

Used when converting one language to another or understanding the meaning of complex information.

  • She was interpreting the speech for the audience.
  • Interpreting the data correctly is essential for accurate results.
explain

Used when making something clear or easy to understand by describing it in detail.

  • Please explain how this machine works.
  • The teacher will explain the concept in the next class.
understand

This word is used when grasping the meaning, significance, or nature of something.

  • I finally understand the math problem.
  • Do you understand the importance of this decision?
decipher

This word is often used when figuring out a code or something that is difficult to understand.

  • He had to decipher the encrypted message.
  • It took me a while to decipher her handwriting.

Examples of usage

  • He interpreted her silence as a sign of agreement.
  • The data can be interpreted in various ways.
  • I need someone to interpret this ancient text for me.
  • We need to interpret the results of the experiment.
  • She interpreted his smile as a gesture of goodwill.
Context #2 | Noun

language

An interpreter is a person who translates spoken words from one language to another.

Synonyms

language specialist, translator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
interpreting

Interpreting is typically used in situations where spoken language is being converted in real-time from one language to another. This often happens in meetings, conferences, and live broadcasts.

  • She was interpreting for the delegations at the international summit.
  • The company hired a professional for interpreting during the negotiation.
translator

A translator specifically works with written text, converting content from one language to another. This term is often used in contexts involving books, documents, websites, and other forms of written material.

  • The company needs a translator to convert their manuals into French.
  • She works as a translator, focusing on legal documents.
language specialist

A language specialist is generally someone with advanced knowledge in one or multiple languages, often used in academic or professional settings where expertise in language structures, linguistics, or translation is required.

  • The university hired a language specialist to develop the new Spanish curriculum.
  • As a language specialist, she is proficient in five different languages.

Examples of usage

  • She works as an interpreter at the United Nations.
  • The conference provided interpreters for multiple languages.
  • The interpreter helped bridge the communication gap.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • Interpreting has been depicted in films like 'Arrival', where a linguist helps humans understand alien communication.
  • In the world of music, interpreting a piece means adding your personal style or emotional touch, like a musician making a song their own.
  • Popular reality shows often feature challenges where contestants must interpret complex tasks, showcasing the importance of quick understanding.

Psychology

  • Interpreting non-verbal cues, such as body language, is just as vital as language in communication and can convey emotions and intentions.
  • The process of interpreting dreams is a field in psychology where professionals analyze symbols to better understand the subconscious mind.
  • Interpretation can be influenced by individual experiences, leading to different understandings of the same information for different people.

Education

  • Interpreting is a crucial skill in education, helping students make sense of complex texts and ideas.
  • Language interpretation services are increasingly offered in schools to help non-English speaking students access the curriculum.
  • Teaching interpreting skills includes training students in critical thinking and analysis, essential for academic success.

Technology

  • In tech, interpretation can refer to compilers translating code written in high-level programming languages into machine language.
  • Software for language interpretation has grown, enabling real-time translation during conferences and international meetings.
  • AI advancements have fostered new interpreting tools that can analyze and translate languages quickly, expanding access to information globally.

Origin of 'interpreting'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'interpretari', which means 'to explain' or 'to explain'.
  • It has roots in the Old French 'interpretor', which emphasizes the action of explaining or translating.
  • The concept of interpreting has evolved from just language to include various forms of understanding through art, music, and context.

The word 'interpret' has Latin roots, coming from the word 'interpretari' meaning 'explain, expound, understand.' It has been in use in English since the 14th century, evolving over time to encompass various meanings related to explanation and translation.

See also: interpret, interpretable, interpretation, interpretations, interpretative, interpreter, interpretive, misinterpret, misinterpretation, reinterpret, reinterpretation.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,305 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.