What is the initial stage of the interpreting process?

The initial stage of the interpreting process is reception. This stage involves the interpreter actively listening to and understanding the source message in the source language. It is crucial for the interpreter to accurately perceive the spoken or signed message, as the effectiveness of the subsequent stages—such as conversion, delivery, and evaluation—depends on the clarity and comprehension achieved during this phase.

In the reception stage, interpreters engage in active listening and observation, ensuring they grasp not only the literal meaning of the content but also the nuances, emotions, and cultural contexts inherent in the communication. This foundational step sets the groundwork for effective interpretation, as any misunderstanding during reception can lead to errors in interpretation and delivery.

The conversion stage follows reception, where the interpreter translates the understood message into the target language. However, without the initial reception of the message being accurate, this subsequent step cannot be performed correctly. Thus, reception is critical to the interpreting process.