This book investigates the mechanics of interpreting as a complex discourse process rather than a simple act of linguistic substitution. Cynthia B. Roy, a scholar in the field of sociolinguistics, utilizes empirical data from face-to-face interpreted interactions to analyze how communication is managed between parties who lack a shared language. The work posits that the interpreter acts as an active participant in the interaction, fundamentally shaping the turn-taking structure and the flow of information.

Experts in sociolinguistics and interpreting studies recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the interactive nature of the interpreter's role. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for students and researchers in the field of discourse analysis.