What is the process speakers go through to reach a clear understanding of each other?

• A. Negotiation of meaning
• B. Translation
• C. Conversation
• D. Clarification

Answer: (A)

Negotiation of meaning is the process speakers go through to reach a clear understanding of each other. In real talk, misunderstandings happen, and people work together to align their messages by asking for clarification, restating, paraphrasing, and confirming what has been understood. This cooperative repair is what allows mutual comprehension to emerge, not just the act of translating words or simply having a conversation. Clarification is a key tactic within this process, but negotiation of meaning covers the whole set of moves—asking for repetition or reformulation, checking interpretation, and adjusting language—until both sides share the same understanding. Translation focuses on converting between languages, and conversation describes the act of talking in general, rather than the specific process that ensures clear understanding.