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

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

2021
Headline

The study explores the impact of digital authoring and hypertext on manuscript studies, proposing a theory of manuscript "transmediations" to understand the relationship between material and digital artefacts.

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 study explores the impact of digital authoring and hypertext on manuscript studies, proposing a theory of manuscript "transmediations" to understand the relationship between material and digital artefacts.

Key findings

The key findings include the emergence of new methodologies such as digital "forensics" and "virtual desks", and the identification of parallels between material manuscripts and hypertext features.

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 account for digital artefacts in manuscript studies, develop a theory of manuscript "transmediations", and identify requirements for a hypertext "genre" for digital manuscripts.

Methods

The methods used in the study involve case studies and analyses of digital transitions to develop the theory of manuscript "transmediations".

Results

The results of the study include a deeper understanding of the relationship between material and digital manuscripts, and the identification of key challenges for scholarly editions of digital manuscripts.

Conclusions

The conclusions drawn from the study emphasize the need for a hypertext "genre" that supports reconciling the collaborative process of curation with the need for a coherent narrative.

Key terms

digital artefact

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Abstract References
Study features
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Snapshot conclusions

Limitations

The limitations of the study are not explicitly stated, but it is acknowledged that the nature and relations of native-digital manuscripts are yet to be fully investigated.

Future work

The future work directions include further investigation of the nature and relations of native-digital manuscripts, and the development of a hypertext "genre" for digital manuscripts.

Practical applications

The practical applications of the study include the development of new methodologies for analyzing digital manuscripts, and the creation of a hypertext "genre" that supports the curation and presentation of digital manuscripts to a broader public.

Comparative analysis
Detail
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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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