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Heritage and hermeneutics: towards a broader interpretation of interpretation
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Heritage and hermeneutics: towards a broader interpretation of interpretation

Phillip Ablett and Pamela K Dyer
Current Issues in Tourism, Vol.12(3), pp.209-233
2009
url
https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500802316063View
Published Version

Abstract

environmental interpretation heritage tourism hermeneutics Gadamer Heidegger Tilden
This article re-examines the theoretical basis for environmental and heritage interpretation in tourist settings in the light of hermeneutic philosophy. It notes that the pioneering vision of heritage interpretation formulated by Freeman Tilden envisaged a broadly educational, ethically informed and transformative art. By contrast, current cognitive psychological attempts to reduce interpretation to the monological transmission of information, targeting universal but individuated cognitive structures, are found to be wanting. Despite growing signs of diversity, this information processing approach to interpretation remains dominant. The article then presents the alternative paradigm of hermeneutics through the works of Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Heidegger and Gadamer, to provide a broader interpretation of interpretation. This not only captures the essence of Tilden's definition but construes heritage interpretation as a more inclusive, culturally situated, critically reflexive and dialogical practice.

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