The Critical Difference Between Comprehension and Interpretation
Have you ever read something and thought you understood it, only to realize later that your interpretation was incorrect? Or perhaps you understood the information but couldn’t articulate it to someone else? These are common experiences that highlight the critical difference between comprehension and interpretation.
Comprehension: Understanding the Information
Comprehension refers to the ability to understand the information being presented. It involves processing the words and extracting the meaning from them. Comprehension is a necessary foundation for interpretation because you cannot interpret something you do not understand.
Comprehension requires a range of skills, including reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and critical thinking. It’s the ability to understand the literal meaning of what is being said or written without adding any personal bias or opinion.
Interpretation: Making Meaning of the Information
Interpretation, on the other hand, involves making meaning out of the information. It’s the personal understanding and perspective that you bring to the information. Interpretation takes into account your beliefs, experiences, and culture.
Interpretation is not just about adding personal meaning to information. It’s also about analyzing the information in a way that is meaningful to you. This involves asking questions, making connections, and drawing conclusions. Interpretation is what gives information meaning and relevance.
The Importance of Separating Comprehension and Interpretation
Separating comprehension and interpretation is crucial because it allows for a more accurate and objective understanding of information. Comprehension is necessary for interpretation, but it’s important to recognize that they are two separate processes.
Conflating comprehension and interpretation can lead to misinterpreting information and misunderstanding others. When you’re not aware of your own interpretation biases, you risk imposing them on others and miscommunicating.
Examples of Comprehension and Interpretation in Practice
To illustrate the difference between comprehension and interpretation, let’s consider an example. Imagine you’re reading an article about a controversial political issue.
Comprehension of the article would involve understanding the literal meaning of the words and sentences. You could summarize the main points of the article and explain them to someone else.
Interpretation of the article would involve making meaning out of the information. You might consider how the author’s perspective and your own perspective influence your understanding of the issue. You might analyze the sources cited in the article and evaluate the author’s argument.
Conclusion
Comprehension and interpretation are two distinct but interrelated processes. Comprehension is the foundation for interpretation and involves understanding the literal meaning of information. Interpretation involves making meaning out of information and takes into account personal perspective and understanding.
Understanding the difference between comprehension and interpretation is important because it allows for a more accurate understanding of information and better communication with others. By separating the two processes, we can avoid misunderstandings and promote productive discourse.
