Literary notes about Interpreter (AI summary)
The term “interpreter” appears in literature with a rich variety of meanings that go well beyond a mere translator of languages. In historical narratives like Lewis and Clark’s journals ([1], [2], [3]), for instance, an interpreter facilitates communication between cultures, acting as a bridge in moments of direct human encounter. At the same time, authors use the archetype of the interpreter in more symbolic roles—as in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, where the character not only explains spiritual allegories but also guides the protagonist’s inner journey ([4], [5], [6]). Moreover, the term is employed metaphorically to denote those who translate inner truths or abstract ideas, as seen in Helen Keller’s reflections on poetry and perception ([7], [8], [9]) and even in philosophical or psychoanalytical texts where interpretation becomes an art of discerning underlying meaning ([10], [11], [12], [13]). Thus, across genres and eras, “interpreter” serves as both a literal facilitator of communication and as a symbol for the transformative act of deciphering and conveying deeper truths.
- The interpreter informed me that the Cheifs of those villages had no intention of going down.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - Shortly after Capt. Clark arrived with the Interpreter Charbono, and the Indian woman, who proved to be a sister of the Chif Cameahwait.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - men interpreter Shabono & his wife & child (as an interpreter & interpretess for the Crow Inds and the latter for the Shoshoni) with 50 horses.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - Then said the Interpreter, The Comforter be always with thee, good Christian, to guide thee in the way that leads to the City.
— from The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come by John Bunyan - INTERPRETER'S ALLEGORIES When the Interpreter had showed them this, he had them into the very best room in the house; a very brave room it was.
— from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read by John Bunyan - So he came till he came to our house; but as he behaved himself at the gate, so he did at my master the Interpreter's door.
— from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read by John Bunyan - Great poetry, whether written in Greek or in English, needs no other interpreter than a responsive heart.
— from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller - Until then I had been like a foreigner speaking through an interpreter.
— from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller - I know events the instant they take place, and wherever I turn my steps, Mind is my faithful guide and interpreter.
— from The World I Live In by Helen Keller - Hence this is another opportunity for the exercise of the interpreter's discretion.
— from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud - If you will substitute for the arbitrariness of the interpreter, his skill, his experience, his comprehension, I agree with you.
— from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud - His interpretation of a formula is at least personal, even if he does not create the formula itself: at least as an interpreter he is creative.
— from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche - In all such allegories there is a great deal which is merely ornamental, and the interpreter has to separate the important from the unimportant.
— from Phaedrus by Plato