The workshop is meant to make use of the present scholars from diverse language backgrounds as a resource to document their field in their original language. It focuses in particular on documenting works and papers written in languages other than English and seeks to draft translations for descriptions. An endeavour all those who do not have an understanding of a respective language, are dependent upon in order to give a particular language community the visibility they are in need of to allow appropriate scholarship in a particular nation.
A work without translation is a blind spot in research for those unfamiliar with its language of origin. The English translation provides, at least the chance to be recognized in research and offers a starting point for a dialogue with its author.
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity - Features in the Knowledge Base
As an international project, the linguistic diversity in the field of electronic literature is respected, welcomed, and taken into account within the implementation of various features in the knowledge base:
Records describing people (author, translator, programmer etc.) working in the field of electronic literature are presented along with their place of residency and nationality. Creative Works are labeled with the language origin, additionally, descriptions of creative works originating from another language than English are provided in both the original language and in translation. While cross-referenced, creative works that have been translated such as afternoon, a story, or works by Serge Bouchardon are provided in single, individual records in both the original language, and English.
In the introductory presentation to the workshop, I will point out features in the database that make visible the national diversity and multilinguality in the field. The database serves as a resource for various entities: researchers, teachers, students, and a general readership. It is meant to support the teaching and research practice in environments focused on works and critical writing other than English.
Often, the absence of a central venue for the display of creative works and scholarship and the fact that people's efforts are not consolidated and systematized can lead to a number of consequences that may hinder development of electronic literature in practice and academia in nascent communities. Understood as a means of post-processing, the ELMCIP Electronic Literature Knowledge Base provides a setting to feature diverse national communities, their creative works and scholarship. Having a non-English community in mind however, it is of importance to present scholarly and artistic assets in the original language, as well as in a common one.