Explanation vs. Interpretation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 12, 2024
An explanation clarifies and makes something understandable, focusing on the 'how' and 'why', while interpretation offers a personal or alternative perspective, emphasizing meaning and significance.
Difference Between Explanation and Interpretation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An explanation is aimed at clarifying something by providing details or reasons to make it understandable. It often involves breaking down information into simpler parts, presenting facts, and using logic to elucidate a concept, process, or situation. Interpretation, on the other hand, involves giving meaning to something by expressing a personal or alternative perspective. It is less about factual accuracy and more about understanding the underlying significance, implications, or symbolism.
While explanations rely on objectivity and a universal framework of understanding, interpretations are inherently subjective, influenced by an individual's experiences, background, and values. This subjectivity means that multiple interpretations can coexist for a single phenomenon, each providing different insights.
In the realm of communication, an explanation aims to remove ambiguity and ensure that the information is accessible and comprehensible to the audience. It is direct and intends to foster understanding by eliminating confusion. Interpretation, however, embraces ambiguity and the multiplicity of meanings, encouraging diverse perspectives and a deeper engagement with the material. It invites the audience to explore various possibilities and to contribute their own insights and understandings.
Comparison Chart
Objective
To clarify and make understandable
To offer personal or alternative perspective
Focus
Facts, logic, and how things work
Meaning, significance, and symbolism
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Nature
Objective and universal
Subjective and individual
Usage Contexts
Education, science, everyday explanations
Art, literature, historical analysis
Outcome
Clear understanding, reduced ambiguity
Diverse perspectives, deeper engagement
Compare with Definitions
Explanation
A detailed account of how and why something happens.
The teacher's explanation of photosynthesis clarified the process for the students.
Interpretation
A personal or alternative way of understanding something.
His interpretation of the poem added a new layer of meaning.
Explanation
A statement that makes something clear by describing it in more detail.
The manual provided an explanation for each function of the device.
Interpretation
An explanation or way of explaining that is based on personal opinion.
The critic's interpretation of the movie sparked much debate.
Explanation
Clarification that removes confusion or doubt.
His explanation about the missed deadline reassured the team.
Interpretation
The act of explaining the meaning of something.
The guide's interpretation of the historical site made the visit more insightful.
Explanation
The process of making something understandable through analysis.
The scientist's explanation simplified the complex theory.
Interpretation
The way in which someone chooses to understand an issue or matter.
Her interpretation of the data led to a groundbreaking discovery.
Explanation
A reason given for an action or event.
She offered a detailed explanation for her late arrival.
Interpretation
A particular adaptation or version of a work, event, or concept.
The director's interpretation of the classic was both modern and controversial.
Explanation
An explanation is a set of statements usually constructed to describe a set of facts which clarifies the causes, context, and consequences of those facts. This description may establish rules or laws, and may clarify the existing rules or laws in relation to any objects, or phenomena examined.Explanation, in philosophy, is a set of statements that makes intelligible the existence or occurrence of an object, event, or state of affairs.
Interpretation
The act or process of interpreting.
Explanation
The act or process of explaining
Launched into a detailed explanation.
Interpretation
A result of interpreting.
Explanation
Something that explains
That was supposedly the explanation for their misdeeds.
Interpretation
An explanation or conceptualization by a critic of a work of literature, painting, music, or other art form; an exegesis.
Explanation
A mutual clarification of misunderstandings; a reconciliation.
Interpretation
A performer's distinctive personal version of a song, dance, piece of music, or role; a rendering.
Explanation
The act or process of explaining.
The explanation was long and drawn-out.
Interpretation
(countable) An act of interpreting or explaining something unclear; a translation; a version.
The interpretation of a dream, or of an enigma
The interpretation of the rules
Explanation
Something that explains, makes understandable.
An explanation for the UFO sightings was easily found.
Interpretation
(countable) A sense given by an interpreter; an exposition or explanation given; meaning.
Commentators give various interpretations of the same passage of Scripture.
Explanation
A resolution of disputed points pursuant to discussion; a mutual clarification of disputed points; reconciliation.
Interpretation
The discipline or study of translating one spoken or signed language into another (as opposed to translation, which concerns itself with written language).
Explanation
The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty.
Interpretation
(uncountable) The power of explaining.
Explanation
That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation.
Interpretation
(countable) An artist's way of expressing his thought or embodying his conception of nature.
Explanation
The meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; interpretation; sense.
Different explanations [of the Trinity].
Interpretation
(countable) An act or process of applying general principles or formulae to the explanation of the results obtained in special cases.
Explanation
A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation.
Interpretation
An approximation that allows aspects of a mathematical theory to be discussed in ordinary language.
Explanation
A statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.;
The explanation was very simple
I expected a brief account
Interpretation
An assignment of a truth value to each propositional symbol of a propositional calculus.
Explanation
Thought that makes something comprehensible
Interpretation
Heritage interpretation
Explanation
The act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible;
I heard his explanation of the accident
Interpretation
The act of interpreting; explanation of what is obscure; translation; version; construction; as, the interpretation of a foreign language, of a dream, or of an enigma.
Look how we can, or sad or merrily,Interpretation will misquote our looks.
Interpretation
The sense given by an interpreter; exposition or explanation given; meaning; as, commentators give various interpretations of the same passage of Scripture.
Interpretation
The power or explaining.
Interpretation
An artist's way of expressing his thought or embodying his conception of nature.
Interpretation
The act or process of applying general principles or formulæ to the explanation of the results obtained in special cases.
Interpretation
A mental representation of the meaning or significance of something
Interpretation
The act of interpreting something as expressed in an artistic performance;
Her rendition of Milton's verse was extraordinarily moving
Interpretation
An explanation that results from interpreting something;
The report included his interpretation of the forensic evidence
Interpretation
An explanation of something that is not immediately obvious;
The edict was subject to many interpretations
He annoyed us with his interpreting of parables
Often imitations are extended to provide a more accurate rendition of the child's intended meaning
Common Curiosities
Can an interpretation be wrong?
Interpretations are subjective and can vary greatly; they are not about right or wrong but about offering different perspectives.
Can one object have multiple interpretations?
Yes, especially in fields like art and literature, one object or text can have many different interpretations.
Is an explanation required for interpretation?
Not necessarily, but an explanation can provide a foundation upon which an interpretation is built.
How do explanations benefit learning?
Explanations help by breaking down complex information into understandable parts, facilitating learning and comprehension.
Is an explanation always factual?
Yes, explanations typically focus on presenting facts and logical reasoning to clarify how and why something happens.
Are explanations only used in scientific contexts?
No, explanations are used in a variety of contexts, including education, everyday situations, and any time information needs to be made clear.
Is it possible to have an incorrect explanation?
Yes, explanations can be incorrect if they are based on faulty logic or incorrect information.
Is an explanation always objective?
While explanations aim to be objective, they can sometimes be influenced by the explainer's perspective.
Can an explanation end a debate?
Yes, a clear and factual explanation can resolve misunderstandings and end debates.
Do interpretations require creativity?
Yes, interpretations often involve creativity and personal insight, especially in the arts.
Do interpretations apply to factual data?
Interpretations can apply to factual data, especially in how the data is understood or what significance is attributed to it.
Can interpretations change over time?
Yes, interpretations can evolve as new information comes to light or as societal views change.
Is an explanation the same as a definition?
No, a definition gives the meaning of a word or phrase, while an explanation provides more detailed information about how and why something occurs.
Why are interpretations important in art?
Interpretations in art are important because they allow for multiple viewpoints and deepen the engagement with the artwork, revealing its complexity and nuances.
Are interpretations always personal?
Interpretations are often personal but can also be widely accepted among a group or culture.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
