Interpretazione

Interpretazione is the Italian term for interpretation, the act of explaining the meaning of something or rendering a message from one system to another. It encompasses translating, explaining, and making sense of signs, texts, performances, or data. The word derives from Latin interpretatio, from interpres, “interpreter” or “expositor,” and has long been used across disciplines to denote the process of unveiling intended meaning.

In linguistics and semantics, interpretation concerns deriving meaning from utterances, taking into account context, speaker intention, and linguistic conventions. It distinguishes between literal content and pragmatic or contextual reading, acknowledging that different audiences may interpret the same text differently.

In law, statutory and contractual interpretation concerns determining the meaning and effect of texts. Courts apply interpretative approaches such as textual, purposive, and systemic methods to resolve ambiguities and align outcomes with the intention of the law or contract.

In music and the performing arts, interpretation describes a performer’s rendition of a work. It includes choices about tempo, dynamics, phrasing, articulation, and style, balancing fidelity to the score with personal expression.

In philosophy and hermeneutics, interpretation is a broader project of understanding texts, symbols, and practices. Thinkers like Gadamer and Ricoeur describe interpretation as a dialogical, historically situated activity, often involving a hermeneutic circle between parts and whole.

In science and daily life, interpretation also refers to explaining data, results, or experiences, with attention to evidence, uncertainty, and context.