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):
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