Which term describes the act of interpreting a message into a language that can be understood?

The act of interpreting a message into a language that can be understood is referred to as decoding. This process involves taking the symbols, words, or signals that make up a message and translating them into meaningful information for the recipient. Decoding is crucial in communication because it ensures that the intended meaning of the message is accurately received and comprehended by the audience.

Understanding the role of decoding in communication helps emphasize the importance of clarity and context in messages. If a sender encodes a message effectively but the receiver misinterprets or fails to decode it properly, the communication can break down, leading to misunderstandings. Therefore, effective communication not only relies on the sender encoding their message thoughtfully but also on the receiver actively engaging in decoding it to extract the intended meaning.