Sanningstolkning

Sanningstolkning is a term used in Swedish-language discourse to describe the interpretation of statements in order to assess their truth value within a given context. The word combines sanning, meaning truth, and tolkning, meaning interpretation, and it is applied across disciplines such as philosophy, linguistics, media studies, journalism, and legal theory to describe how credibility is attributed to claims.

The concept centers on the idea that truth is not found in isolated sentences alone but emerges from the interaction of linguistic meaning, context, evidence, and the epistemic status of sources. Sanningstolkning emphasizes context-sensitive analysis, including the discourse context, speaker intent, and the availability of corroborating information. Methodologically, it draws on textual and discourse analysis, semantic and pragmatic interpretation, and triangulation of sources.

Applications of sanningstolkning can be found in political communication, where audiences weigh competing claims; in journalism and fact-checking, where statements are evaluated against evidence; in legal settings, where witness statements and testimonies are interpreted for credibility; and in philosophy, where debates concern truth conditions and the interpretation of propositions within given frameworks.

Critics note that practice of sanningstolkning can be subjective and influenced by cultural or methodological biases, risking relativism if not anchored by explicit standards. Proponents argue that it reflects real-world interpretive processes used by individuals and communities when assessing truth.

See also: truth conditions, hermeneutics, epistemology, pragmatics, fact-checking.