Interpretationswege

Interpretationswege, translated as “paths of interpretation” or “routes of reading,” is a term used in German-language scholarship to denote the distinct methodological avenues by which a text, artifact, or phenomenon can be understood. The concept emphasizes that interpretation is not unique but can follow multiple, sometimes rival, lines of inquiry. The notion is rooted in hermeneutics and has become widespread across literary studies, art history, law, and cultural theory.

Common Interpretationswege include historical-contextual readings, which situate a work in its era and authorial intention; formalist or structuralist approaches that focus on language, form, and internal relations; biographical readings that draw on the author’s life; psychoanalytic interpretations probing unconscious meaning; deconstruction and post-structuralist routes that challenge fixed meanings; feminist and gender-focused readings; postcolonial and intercultural perspectives; and reception or reader-response approaches that emphasize audience interpretation and the social life of texts.

In practice, the label helps scholars specify their method and anticipate potential biases. It also underlines that different routes can yield complementary or competing readings, which is particularly relevant in law, literature, film, and art criticism. By mapping Interpretationswege, researchers can engage in methodological reflexivity and foster dialogue across disciplines.