Foreign Language reading as cultural problem-solving: The intercultural stance of the reader. [abstract].

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to continue my investigation of the Foreign Language (FL) reader’s problem-solving behaviour. Having examined the conditions of implementation of reading strategies associated with lexical and syntactical difficulties, I now propose to study how Anglo-Australian university language students deal with unfamiliar cultural events featured in written texts in French. The main objective of the project I propose to undertake in the context of Language and Intercultural Communication research is therefore to gain an understanding of the nature of the strategies implemented by FL readers to identify and attempt to overcome cultural unfamiliarity featured in written texts. A corollary objective is to observe how FL linguistic proficiency may influence the perception and apprehension of cultural difficulties.