Culture and the interpretation of meaning in a literary text

Abstract

This article gives a brief overview of the role of culture in the interpretation of meaning in a literary text. It commences with definitions of the concepts ‘meaning’ and ‘culture’. An investigation of the influence of culture in the interpretation of meaning is carried out in selected texts with specific reference to Tshivenḓa literary texts. Aspects such as actions of characters and their settings are taken into account in this regard.