Feiltolkinger

Feiltolkinger is a term encountered in Dutch-language discussions to describe agents, methods, or instances that produce faulty interpretations or translations. It is typically used in a critical, explanatory sense to point out misreadings, mistranslations, or biased readings of texts, media reports, or data analyses. The word is a compound built from elements referring to fault and interpretation, and is usually employed in informal or scholarly-commentary contexts rather than as a formal linguistic category.

Definition and scope

A feiltolker can refer to a person who introduces errors in interpretation, a process or method that yields misinterpretations, or a particular instance where meaning is distorted. Distinctions are often drawn between deliberate misrepresentation and accidental misinterpretation, as well as between linguistic translation errors and broader semantic drift in paraphrase or summary.

Etymology

The term appears to be a contemporary compound combining notions of fault (or error) with interpretation. Its precise linguistic origin is informal and varies by usage; it has appeared mainly in online discussions, critique of translation quality, and debates about media interpretation rather than in formal dictionaries or textbooks.

Usage and examples

In discussions about automated translation, commentary about feiltolkings labels outputs as incorrect if crucial meanings are altered. In media and academic critique, the label can be used to emphasize the importance of context, source verification, and the avoidance of biased or superficial readings.

See also

Mistranslation, misinterpretation, translation studies, media literacy.