Culture Standards


     When reader focus is on the text itself as an artifact of German-language culture, the triangle shifts once again to represent the culture standards.  The text now is less an object by means of which a reader informs him- or herself about context, and more a miniature model of aspects of the German langauge and culture:  the text becomes more important in itself.  For example, that text represents the values of German speakers implied by particular behaviors and activities or Germans' responses to social and political situations.  When reading to gain knowledge and understanding in terms of the culture standards, then, the text assumes the dominant position in the triangle (not the context, as it would have in the connections standards):

Culture Standards

text

(GOAL:  understanding the text as a unique product of terms set by its world)

 

reader-audience                              contexts    


     When fulfilling the goals set by the culture standards, the reader-audience's attention is directed outwards;  the reader tries to transpose him- or herself into the world of the text, rather than to connect that outside world to his or her own.  In this way, the text become the most important element in establishing contact between a reader and a new world;  the text becomes the "filter" and chief guide to a reader's very precise understanding of relationships between products, practices, and perspectives of the German culture (and not necessarily in relationship to his or her own culture).

 COMPARISONS STANDARDS
 COMMUNITIES STANDARDS
 COMMUNICATION STANDARDS
 CONNECTION STANDARD