The document discusses the need for appropriate digital tools for the humanities, emphasizing that current technologies do not effectively implement the specific methods required for analyzing and interpreting texts. It presents 'textmachina' as a potential solution, which simulates collaborative research practices in the humanities. The workshop includes discussions on methods, existing technologies, and the requirements for effective digital tools.

1. In Search for an Appropriate Tool for the Humanities René Bauer, Stefan Hofer and Imre Hofmann www.textmachina.uzh.ch www.textmachina.uzh.ch

2. Programme of the Workshop Presentation of the participants Presentation of the problem at stake: The need of an appropiate digital tool for the Humanities Presentation of „a possible solution“ (tEXtMACHINA) Plenary discussion on specific methods Plenary discussion on existing technologies Group discussion on digital tools for the Humanities Plenary session and conclusion www.textmachina.uzh.ch

3. In Search for an Appropriate Tool for the Humanities The Humanities have an object of research (data) of their own: meaningful „text“ in a broad sense This specific object implies specific methods: analysis and interpretation in a scientific community New Media offer a lot of relevant digital technologies. There is no tool that implements the crucial methods of the Humanities with these technologies. www.textmachina.uzh.ch

4. 2. A) The Humanities have an object of research of their own: „text“ By „Text“ we mean any kind of object that needs to be read or interpreted because of meaningful nature. www.textmachina.uzh.ch

5. 2. B) This specific object implies specific methods: professional reading in a scientific community Quantitative and q ualitative analysis Semiotic and h ermeneutic Interpretation: dialectic feedback between holistic assumption and detailled examination Intertextual contextualization: references, intertexts Discourse Analysis: Institutions, frequencies and order Dialogical discourse in the scientifc community www.textmachina.uzh.ch

6. 2. C) New Media offer a lot of relevant digital technologies D igital text processing (scientific writing) Q uantitative and statistical analysis (counting, comparing, analysis of frequencies and correlations) M anual analysis (marking, highlighting, annotating) Hyperreferencing and commenting Knowledge organization, accessing and archiving R esearch and publishing D ialogical collaboration with peers www.textmachina.uzh.ch

7. 2. D) We miss tools... ...that combine these technologies in order to implement the crucial methods of the Humanities. www.textmachina.uzh.ch

8. 3.) „A possible Solution“: tEXtMACHINA Online simulation of the collaborative discoursive research practices of the Humanities. www.textmachina.uzh.ch

9. 4.) Plenary discussion on specific methods for the Humanities (5‘) Quantitative and q ualitative analysis Semiotic and h ermeneutic Interpretation: dialectic feedback between holistic assumption and detailled examination Intertextual contextualization: references, intertexts Discourse analysis: institutions, frequencies and order Dialogical discourse in the scientifc community WHAT ELSE? www.textmachina.uzh.ch

10. 5.) Plenary discussion on existing technolgies (5‘) D igital text processing (scientific writing) Q uantitative and statistical analysis (counting, comparing, analysis of frequencies and correlations) M anual analysis (marking, highlighting, annotating) Hyperreferencing and commenting Knowledge organization, accessing and archiving R esearch and publishing D ialogical collaboration with peers www.textmachina.uzh.ch

11. 6.) Group discussion on digital tools for the Humanities (25‘) What are the requirements of such a tool and how should it look like? Do we know such tools? www.textmachina.uzh.ch

12. In Search for an Appropriate Tool for the Humanities René Bauer, Stefan Hofer and Imre Hofmann www.textmachina.uzh.ch [email_address] www.textmachina.uzh.ch