Fortolke

Fortolke is a verb used in Norwegian and Danish that denotes the act of presenting an interpretation or explanation of something, such as a text, data, an event, or a phenomenon. It can also imply reinterpretation, offering a new perspective on existing material. The related noun is fortolkning, meaning interpretation.

The etymology traces to the verb tolke (to interpret or translate) with the prefix for-, which in this context signals a more comprehensive or revised interpretation. While tolke is commonly used for translating or rendering meaning, fortolke emphasizes analysis, interpretation, or re-interpretation, often in a structured or critical sense. The choice between fortolke and tolke can depend on nuance and formality, with fortolke appearing in academic, journalistic, or analytical writing.

In usage, fortolke appears across disciplines, including literature, history, law, and the social sciences, where authors discuss how evidence should be understood or what meaning should be derived from sources. The term invites consideration of perspective, context, and evidence, and it can carry a neutral or evaluative connotation depending on how it is applied.

See also: tolke, fortolkning. Examples include statements that someone fortolket et måldokument for å fremheve en bestemt tolkning, eller at forskeren fortolket dataene for å påvise en trend. Fortolke is therefore a standard term for analytical interpretation in Scandinavian languages.