ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses and critically evaluates the concept of interpretation. It investigates how tour guides act as interpretation agents and presents a case study of zoo-keepers as interpreters.
One of the earliest commentators on heritage interpretation, Tilden (1957) suggested interpretation is an educational process that employs objects, illustrative media and the use of firsthand experience. The aim of interpretation, Tilden claimed, is to reveal meaning and relationships. A variety of ‘objects’, such as urban monuments, works of art and flora and fauna, as well as media such as print and photographs can be used to achieve this. Prentice (1995, p. 55) defined interpretation in the following way (Photo 10):
a process of communicating to people the significance of a place so that they can enjoy it more, understand its importance and develop a positive attitude to conservation. Interpretation is used to enhance the enjoyment of place, to convey symbolic meaning and to facilitate attitudinal or behavioural change.
