To successfully interpret legislation two problems need to be analyzed, firstly the policy of interpretation needs to be understood and secondly a method of interpretation needs to be devised to implement the policy. The first step is to recognize the goals or policy of interpretation. In its broadest sense the policy requires a uniform application of the convention in good faith. Before we determine the method of interpretation, some of the differences between domestic and international legislation and in particular the CISG need to be examined. At the onset, we need to be aware that interpretation is not only a problem of the application or choice of words, but also of the application of concepts or principles which are contained in the legislation.
Any interpretative tool needs to make provisions to interpret words within a conceptual framework.
Domestic legislation needs to consider the choice and clarity of words. International legislation, in addition, also needs to consider the effects of translation on the meaning of words. This gives rise to a new method of interpretation when meaning must be given to a word which is unclear. Translations of the same word and article in different languages needs to be consulted to possibly find an answer to the original question. Such an approach also fits into the policy of uniform interpretation as mentioned above as it views words not in a national but international context.