Explanation
The conventional or situationally prescribed direction in which characters, lines, and textual fields are processed. It translates spatial arrangement into temporal sequence and shapes what is perceived as beginning, continuation, and return.
Example
A German prose text is read line by line from left to right and from top to bottom.
Counterexample
Merely mentioning “Reading direction” without the described function is not a sufficient example.
Distinction
Reader guidance may redirect attention within a reading direction; reading direction is its basic spatial convention.
Effect on thought and perception
It translates spatial arrangement into temporal sequence and shapes what is perceived as beginning, continuation, and return.
Resonance
In the atlas, Reading direction closes 1 previously unresolved reference line(s) and opens controlled paths of thought.
Etymology
Technical core term; individual etymological review pending
Provenance
ATLAS 241 residual-case triage → profile candidate 241-B → source and neighbourhood cross-check → ATLAS 243
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Reading direction“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-CORE-243-015. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-CORE-243-015The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. A verified modification date per entry is not yet available. Include your access date for precise references.