Dinterpréter

Dinterpréter is a neologism in French that blends the prefix de- with the verb interpréter (to interpret). In contemporary usage, the term is proposed to signify the act of reconfiguring or deconstructing an established reading, rather than simply applying a standard interpretation. Some writers use dinterpréter to describe methodological moves in philosophy, literary studies, or semiotics that seek to reveal neglected assumptions, power relations, or contextual conditions underlying a text or data set.

Etymology and variants: the construction derives from de- plus interpréter; in practice it is sometimes written with the accent as déinterpréter, though informal texts may appear as dinterpréter. The sense is closer to “to deinterpret” or “to reinterpret in a deconstructive or critical direction,” rather than merely to negate interpretation.

Usage and nuances: as a relatively new term, dinterpréter lacks wide standardization and may be defined variably by authors. It is typically used as a transitive verb: déinterpréter un texte, déinterpréter des résultats, or intransitively: « chercher à déinterpréter ». The core idea is not merely to oppose interpretation, but to shift or undo conventional readings by foregrounding underlying conditions, biases, or material contexts.

Contexts: debates about authorial intention, reader-response theory, translation theory, and critical theory. Related concepts include interprétation, déconstruction, and critique hermeneutique.

Limitations: due to its nascency, the term may require explicit definition within a text to avoid ambiguity. See also: interprétation; déconstruction.