Many techniques have been applied in the interpretation and translation in the field of tourism
guiding. This research paper focuses on the interpreting techniques of tour guides in North Sumatra.
It seeks the types and the capabilities of tour guides in interpretation of the meanings of heritage of
tourist destinations in North Sumatra. Data of this research were collected through document analysis,
interviews, and analyzed using interactive data analysis in ancient tombs of Kings Sidabutar and the
traditional house of Karonese Siwaluh Jabu at Dokan village in Karo district. The findings of this
study showed that there were eight interpreting techniques applied by the tour guides in consecutive
and liaison interpreting modes. The summarizing was the dominant technique. It was applied in order
to clarify the objects