What does the term "source language" refer to?

The term "source language" refers to the language being spoken or communicated. In the context of interpretation, the source language is the language from which the interpreter is translating or interpreting into another language, known as the target language. Understanding this distinction is crucial for interpreters as they need to ensure that the message conveyed in the source language is accurately represented in the target language.

While written communication might use a specific language, the definition of source language is specifically tied to oral or communicated speech. The interpretation process revolves around converting spoken messages from the source language, emphasizing the importance of recognizing which language is being communicated in any given interaction. Similarly, while the message being interpreted sounds similar to the concept of the source language, the focus is specifically on the language that is initiating the communication, thus solidifying the proper identification of the source language. Non-verbal communication methods are not considered a language in this context, further helping to clarify that the source language must be a spoken or signed language recognized for interpretation.