What does 'decoding' involve?

Decoding involves the process of understanding and interpreting the message that has been received. This means that the individual receiving the message takes the symbols or signals sent by the communicator and extracts meaning from them.

In the context of communication, decoding is a critical step because it ensures that the information intended to be conveyed is correctly understood by the receiver. This process can involve interpreting words, tone, gestures, and other cues that contribute to the overall meaning of the communication. Effective decoding leads to successful communication and helps prevent misunderstandings.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of communication. Translating symbols into a message describes the process of encoding, while sending feedback is about responding to the original message. Distorting the message goes against the purpose of effective communication and does not align with how decoding is defined. Thus, the focus on extracting meaning directly captures the essence of what decoding is all about.