Which branch of knowledge focuses on interpretation and understanding text?

The focus of hermeneutics lies in the interpretation and understanding of texts, particularly in contexts such as literature, law, and theology. This branch of knowledge emphasizes the significance of context, historical background, and the subjective experience of the reader or interpreter when deriving meaning from texts. Hermeneutics is essential for appreciating the nuances of meaning that can arise from various interpretations, particularly in complex or ambiguous situations.

Discourse analysis, while also concerned with language, focuses more on the structures of communication and the social contexts in which language is used, rather than on the interpretation of texts themselves. Rhetoric primarily studies the art of persuasion in language, examining how language can be used to influence and engage audiences but does not isolate the understanding of text as its main concern. Triangulation refers to a research method used to cross-verify data from multiple sources or methods to enhance credibility, rather than focusing on textual interpretation.