Interpretation reveals meanings rather than simply communicating facts

Evidence

While there are probably as many definitions of interpretation as there are interpreters—one of the most recent being by the National Association for Interpretation, which stated that “interpretation is a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource”—Tilden’s definition still resonates in its simplicity of expression but complexity of meaning. Tilden recognized that interpretation implied the existence of an interpreter who was the central catalyst for the visitor experience. Recognizing that, he defined interpretation as “an educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by firsthand experience, or by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information.” — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 69

An educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by firsthand experience, and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information. … This, let me emphasize, is for the dictionary, which logically attempts only an objective definition of words as they are, or have been, commonly accepted. The true interpreter will not rest at any dictionary definition. Besides being ready in his information and studious in his use of research, he goes beyond the apparent to the real, beyond a part to a whole, beyond a truth to a more important truth. — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 125

A somewhat clumsy but generally accepted definition in the “trade” is this: an educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by firsthand experience and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information. If that sounds stuffy, you may call it “an attempt to reveal the truths that lie behind the appearances.” — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 671

Categorization

• DEFINE: Core definitional content: the canonical Tilden definition the whole course anchor rests on.
• XREF: Ties to Eco-Justice’s expansive definition of ‘teach’ and to nature-interpretation-as-pedagogy aim stated for this read. — connects to: Interpretation aims at personal meaning, not just factual information. — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 11; Accurate facts without provocation are ineffectual in interpretation — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 281; Interpretation lets interpreters privately reveal larger truths behind facts — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 127 (+13 more)
• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 69; Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 125; Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 671
• recurring: this claim recurs 3 times within its source

Broader Connections

• Interpretation lets interpreters privately reveal larger truths behind facts #expands (0.90) — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 127
• Accurate facts without provocation are ineffectual in interpretation #expands (0.85) — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 281
• Reading a speculative proposition requires transforming meaning through interpretation #corroborates (0.85) — Catherine Malabou, The Future of Hegel, 1225
• Language enables meanings rather than passively carrying them #corroborates (0.80)
• Transindividual structures, not authorial intention, anchor strong interpretation today. #corroborates (0.75)