Abstract
People who discuss books in reading groups are playing a role in transferring cultural values, norms and ideas about themes present in the literature they read. How this cultural transfer takes place, and in which ways the process can be enhanced, has to date not been examined. Therefore, the University of Groningen, the Netherlands collaborated with two public libraries and a community organization to set up a research project addressing different aspects of the process from inside reading groups. The results imply that readers who are focusing on reflection and interpretation of literature play an important role in cultural transfer, which can be assisted by the use of reading guides. The collaboration between scholars and non-academic partners proved fruitful in co-creating knowledge that can be used in further research and to improve service to reading groups.
Highlights
A rapidly developing media culture and the omnipresence of visual modes of expression in today’s digitized society have caused anxiety among advocates of the written literary text
The results imply that readers who are focusing on reflection and interpretation of literature play an important role in cultural transfer, which can be assisted by the use of reading guides
The study of cultural transfer within the literary domain has mainly focused on questions regarding the cultural transfer in and through literary works: how do literary texts transfer cultural values, norms and ideas to their audience? By participating in discussions in literary reading groups, the reader plays a significant role in this particular form of cultural transfer
Summary
Cultural transfer in reading groups: from theory to practice and back den Toonder, Jeanette; van Voorst, Sandra; Visser, Saskia. Publication date: 2017 Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database. Citation for published version (APA): den Toonder, J., van Voorst, S., & Visser, S. More information can be found on the University of Groningen website: https://www.rug.nl/library/open-access/self-archiving-pure/taverneamendment. Download date: 10-11-2021 den Toonder, J., Visser, S. and van Voorst, S. Jeanette den Toonder*, Saskia Visser and Sandra van Voorst – University of Groningen
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