The science, and art, of text interpretation is collectively referred to as hermeneutics. The term was derived from the Greek word hermeneuō that translates to “interpret”, and is particularly used when interpretation of literature texts – particularly philosophical literature, wisdom literature, and texts from the Bible – is in question.

Another term “exegesis” is also often considered synonymous to “hermeneutics”. However, while the former pertains to only texts, the latter has verbal as well as nonverbal communication as its subsets as well.