In this study we demonstrate that, through reformulation, it is possible to understand the mechanisms underlying the understanding of texts. To this end we analysed the strategies used by Italian speakers who find themselves in the position of having to understand and reformulate, in their own language, texts in French, a language unknown to them. In this paper we present the various procedures used by these readers, such as the mobilisation of their knowledge, both linguistic, textual (their familiarity with certain types of texts) and referential (encyclopedic knowledge). Their ability to restore the overall meaning of texts, even those that are somewhat opaque, by using generic terms is also highlighted. The analysis demonstrates, moreover, that in addition to prior knowledge and logical deductive skills, an important role is played by surrounding discourses such as those in the media. The analysis of the corpus allows us to disclose, however, that some constraints, both cultural and linguistic, tend to distract the reader from the meaning of the text, even when it is transparent. Through the reformulations produced it was therefore possible to highlight not only the cognitive processes underlying the interpretation of the texts and the ability of speakers to restore their overall sense, but also the latter’s need to be able to detach themselves from certain linguistic forms and a particular cultural conditioning, in order to be able to access texts.
