Paratext

Paratext (from the Greek para, " beside, counteract, something beyond") is a term of intertextuality for text types or text elements that accompany and supplement a basic text (main text) and control its reception, as a measure of the author himself or foreign assistance his intentions. The term was originally developed by Gérard Genette (1987 ) with regard to literary works, was extended by himself and subsequent research but also on works by other media.

Peritext and Epitext

Paratext is differentiated according to the example given in the media presentation material related to the Basic Text in Peritext and Epitext:

• Peritext is paratext, which is connected with the base material text and its public presentation in the sense of the author essentially conditioned, as a separate addition of the author or directing action mediating helper (Editor). When a book is, among others, for the title, possibly with author and genre indication to ingredients such as dedication, formal action defense (also ironic way ), Motto, pre-or epilogue and gliedernde and content of your funds as sub-headings and tables of contents. In the sense of an expanded concept of the work he is also known as internal plant paratext.

• Epitext in this sense is factory external parameter text that circulated separately from the underlying text, but can be added later in the Peritext in the form of attachments or accompanying materials, and allows the author or his agents, the reception of the work independent of its actual presentation additionally to control. These include, for example, interviews, letters and diary entries of the author, author portraits or texts, the publisher advertising.

For the purposes of the formula Peritext Epitext = Paratext the generic term paratext is in Genette through both sub-concepts completely covered and also provided no peri- or Epitext, who is not also paratext.

Paratext and Auktorialität

In Genette membership is tied to the paratext in mind that this comes from the same author as the base text or as allographer ( another hand -derived ) text at least supports the intentions of the author, in the context of what an author " of a normal third as a favor - which goes barely over a foreword - expect or can hope. " Commenting end edge, foot - or endnotes Third, the text philological citation by the author discarded emergence of variants or self-employed scientific comments of third parties have claimed this approach is not the status of the Paratextualität, but that of the Metatextualität.

The hermeneutic and demarcation problems that arise from recourse to the author's intention and the concept of "normal third party ", however, have led to criticisms. A now widespread, extended in the extension term use neglects the authorial intentionality or foreseeability as a defining criterion broadly and refers to the tendency of all that in the notion of Para a text that accompanies the presentation of a base text, shapes and directs its reception.