Publication details
Death and Transmediations: Manuscripts in the Age of Hypertext
2021

Alessio Antonini; Francesca Benatti; Nicola J. Watson, and others

2021
Headline

The rise of digital authoring and web authoring has changed the way manuscripts are created and studied, requiring new methodologies to investigate native-digital manuscripts and their value as documents.

Highlights

The consolidated approaches on manuscript studies involving the analysis of material artefacts are challenged

The mapping between digital and material artefacts outlines a theory of manuscript "transmediations" identifying where and how manuscripts cues are reflected in digital technologies

We elaborate the requirements of a hypertext "genre" for digital manuscripts that supports reconciling the open-ended collaborative process of curation with the need for a coherent narrative addressed to the broader public

Synopsis
Summary

Snapshot

The rise of digital authoring and web authoring has changed the way manuscripts are created and studied, requiring new methodologies to investigate native-digital manuscripts and their value as documents.

Key findings

The key findings include the development of a theory of manuscript "transmediations" that outlines the mapping between digital and material artefacts, and the identification of key challenges and future directions for scholarly editions of digital manuscripts.

The consolidated approaches on manuscript studies involving the analysis of material artefacts are challenged

The mapping between digital and material artefacts outlines a theory of manuscript "transmediations" identifying where and how manuscripts cues are reflected in digital technologies

We elaborate the requirements of a hypertext "genre" for digital manuscripts that supports reconciling the open-ended collaborative process of curation with the need for a coherent narrative addressed to the broader public

Objectives

The objectives of the study are to investigate the nature and relations of native-digital manuscripts, and to develop a theory of manuscript "transmediations" that can support the curation of digital manuscripts.

Methods

The methods used in the study involve case studies and analyses of digital transitions, as well as the development of new methodologies such as digital "forensics" and "virtual desks".

Results

The results of the study include the development of a theory of manuscript "transmediations" and the identification of key challenges and future directions for scholarly editions of digital manuscripts.

Conclusions

The conclusions of the study highlight the need for new methodologies to investigate native-digital manuscripts, and the importance of developing a theory of manuscript "transmediations" that can support the curation of digital manuscripts.

Key terms

digital artefact

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Abstract References
Study features
Snapshot methods
Snapshot results
Snapshot conclusions

Limitations

The limitations of the study are not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that the study is limited by the emerging nature of digital manuscripts and the lack of established methodologies for their study.

Future work

The future work involves elaborating the requirements of a hypertext "genre" for digital manuscripts that supports reconciling the open-ended collaborative process of curation with the need for a coherent narrative addressed to the broader public.

Practical applications

The practical applications of the study involve the development of new methodologies and tools for the study and curation of digital manuscripts, which can support the creation of scholarly editions of digital manuscripts.

Comparative analysis
Detail
Spotlight
Important contexts
Contributions
Important points

the consolidated approaches on manuscript studies involving the analysis of material artefacts are challenged

material artefacts outlines a theory of manuscript "transmediations

how manuscripts cues are reflected in digital technologies

This theory is developed through case studies and analyses of digital transitions

we elaborate the requirements of a hypertext "genre

the open-ended collaborative process of curation with the need for a coherent narrative addressed to the broader public

The consolidated approaches on manuscript studies involving the analysis of material artefacts are challenged

We elaborate the requirements of a hypertext "genre

Key concepts
Abstract
Has Hypertext killed off both the form and value of manuscript? Digital authoring first and web authoring later have changed drastically the availability and type of traces that reflect both creative and editorial processes. In this view, the consolidated approaches on manuscript studies involving the analysis of material artefacts are challenged. While new methodologies such as digital "forensics" and "virtual desks" are emerging, the nature and relations of native-digital manuscripts are yet to be fully investigated. This contribution accounts digital artefacts within the field of manuscript studies, identifying parallels between material manuscripts and hypertext features in their value as documents. The mapping between digital and material artefacts outlines a theory of manuscript "transmediations" identifying where and how manuscripts cues are reflected in digital technologies. This theory is developed through case studies and analyses of digital transitions. In a discussion, we highlight key challenges and future directions for scholarly editions of digital manuscripts. Lastly, we elaborate the requirements of a hypertext "genre" for digital manuscripts that supports reconciling the open-ended collaborative process of curation with the need for a coherent narrative addressed to the broader public.
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References
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