During the Interpreting phase, which practice is essential?

• A. Ignoring omissions
• B. Reversing roles
• C. Using the first person and avoiding omissions or summaries
• D. Translating for only the main ideas

Answer: (C)

During the interpreting phase, the highest priority is faithfully conveying the original message in full detail. Using the first person helps show that you—the interpreter—are the conduit for the speaker’s words, not adding your own voice or turning the content into something you think was meant. By avoiding omissions or summaries, you ensure every piece of information, nuance, and qualifier is carried over, so the listener receives the complete meaning as intended. This level of fidelity is essential for trust and accuracy in interpretation.

Leaving out parts of the message or paraphrasing changes the meaning and can lead to misunderstandings. Reversing roles breaks professional boundaries and can confuse who is responsible for what is being said. Translating only the main ideas risks missing critical details that could alter interpretation or outcomes.