ABSTRACT
In the last decade, a new conceptualization of reading has emerged. This conceptualization is grounded in recent theory and research in sociolinguistics and in the ethnography of communication. From this perspective, reading is viewed not only as a cognitive process, but also as a social and linguistic process. As a social process, reading is used to establish, structure, and maintain social relationships between and among people. As a linguistic process, reading is used to communicate intentions and meanings, not only between an author and a reader, but also between people involved in a reading event.
