Is it possible to write something that requires no interpretation?

Question

It seems to me that just about any statement can be misinterpreted.

Answer 1

No, and I'm sorry I have to say this since this is the religious forum, just look at the bible and how people use it to come up with almost anything.

You always interpret novels for ex. did the author mean this or that?.

This is my opinion.

Answer 2

There are as many perspectives as there are people. Just about anything on earth can be interpreted in a way other than what a writer intended.

I have no idea if it's possible to write something that requires no interpretation. We all have different associations with words and meanings. Even a simple thing like "red" is interpreted by what associations the reader has with the color. Not only may the reader imagine a certain shade the writer never intended, but he or she may also bring an association of, say, luridness with the color.

Some things are fundamental, perhaps. Like "I." When people read "I" in a first-person account, they generally understand that "I" is the speaker and not-I...i.e., not the reader themselves.

Who knows?

Answer 3

No -- everybody views things from a different perspective. Even the first example of:

"I was born in 1984" could be misinterpreted... was that A.D? or B.C? Maybe that person is using something other than the Gregorian Calendar system? Was that mis-typed and they meant "1948"?

Anything can be misinterpreted. :-)

Answer 4

You can write something that requires no such thing but I am afraid someone always will find a way to 'misinterpret' it. I have found wishing someone a good day can be misinterpreted. Good luck and if you ever find a way, let me know.

Answer 5

Some can be more loosely interpretted than others. For example, a scientific document purposefully leaves little room for interpretation. On the other hand, the Bible is so vague and self-contradictory that it can be interpretted nearly any way you wish.

That's one reason why people flock to the Bible more than scientific documents. (Unless you are actually trying to get something done, in which case, the more accurate document wins.)

Answer 6

So much is in tone and body language you can't say "hi" without being accused of something you never intended. It might not "require interpretation" but that doesn't stop individuals from interpreting what needs no interpretation...

Answer 7

2 + 2 = 4

Words always have other connotations... but the # assigned to the value 'two' is always going to mean the exact same quantity. Math is rigid and doesn't change in meaning over time.

Obviously someone could change it so that the # '3' would mean 'two' of something... but the point is that two of an item, plus another two, will always equal four.

Answer 8

Too True. Even your first response is open for interpretation: He was born in 1984, but was that the Gregorian calendar, or the Julian Calendar? Mayan calendar? Jewsih calendar?

Everything is open to interpretation.

Answer 9

There as many meanings as there are interpreters. And there are as many interpretations as there are people. Each person has his/her own unique meaning which comes out of his/her own situation.
It is simply a coincidence if someone understands what you want to convey, and not a rule.

Answer 10

Your statement is particularly true in Yahoo Answers. A question that is precisely worded is simply ignored by many that respond to it.