An Interdisciplinary Approach in Interpreting Literature beyond the Text

Abstract

As long as language remains the medium of literature both in its written and oral forms, and as long as the writer relies on this shared system of communication to deliver the message to the reader via a literary text; it is therefore safe to assume that in order for the reader to attain full interpretation of a literary text a more effective linguistic interpretation is required. During the process of decoding the text, an operation of multiple linguistic approaches takes place; usually involving the social, psychological, and cultural backgrounds by the time of the production of the text. Hence, the present article will attempt to highlight how the meaning of a literary text is accomplished both inside and outside the text. That is to say, that the reader’s social, psychological and cultural background is also as relevant by the time of reading the text. The present article, will then highlight the difficulties the readers are confronted with when reading and interpreting literary texts, due to the interwoven and intertwined literary genres and styles; for this reason both linguistic and literary scholars have been struggling with finding the best linguistic formula to achieve the required smooth and successful intended meaning from the author to the reader. As a conclusion, the author will attempt to determine which linguistic approach is more effective to attain a full and successful interpretation of a literary text, beyond the text. Is it going to be a context-oriented approach, text-oriented approach, author-oriented approach, reader-oriented approach? Or all together?