Zur Untersuchung von Textnormen

In the present paper, two main questions will be addressed. The first question is: What are textual norms? And the second, related one: How can we empirically study textual norms, starting from individual texts? In order to answer these questions, a number of examples are analysed. A first series of cases illustrates how texts can refer to norms in explicit ways, identifying these norms as relevant criteria of evaluation and interpretation for the text in question. After that, a number of cases is analysed which demonstrate their fulfilment of, or their deviation from a textual pattern. It is argued that the empirical study of textual norms must not be limited to explicit cases: The marked fulfilment of, or divergence from a pattern can invite judgements (of the text or its author) and it can generate different kinds of meaning. Since the production of judgements or the generation of meaning effects are typical features of norms, it is argued that the demonstrated fulfilment of textual patterns, as well as the demonstrated deviation from a pattern, can be understood as indirect references to norms. If we want to fully understand how texts link themselves to textual norms, these cases have to be included in our empirical analysis.