Interpretation Defined Interpretation is an educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by first hand experience, and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information. Freeman Tilden
Interpretation is a communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource. National Association for Interpretation
Interpretation facilitates a connection between the interests of the visitor and the meanings of the resource. National Park Service
Interpretation is an approach to communication‌translating the technical language of a natural science or related field into terms and ideas that people who are not scientists can readily understand. Sam Ham, author of Environmental Interpretation
Interpretation aims at giving people new understanding, new insights, new enthusiasms, new interests‌a good interpreter is a sort of pied piper, leading people easily into new and fascinating worlds that their senses never really penetrated before. Interpreters need three basic attributes: knowledge, enthusiasm and a bit of the common touch. Yorke Edwards
What is your definition? ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
Interpretation vs. Information A Comparison
Information
Interpretation
Names and explains
Finds meaning
Taxonomic
Relationships
Passive – descriptive
Processes
Facts
Experiences
Inform
Reform
“Objective”
Recognizes value
Banal/non-controversial
Provocative
Interpreters as: Academic scholars and walking textbooks Teacher-centered
Interpreters as: Skilled communicators of essential meanings discovered in response to visitor needs and wants
“So what?”
Audience-focused “Aha!”