Modeling Classification Systems in Multicultural and Multilingual

Contexts

Joan S. Mitchell OCLC, Inc.

 Marcia Lei Zeng

Kent State University 

Maja Žumer University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

 

History

Long-term research project to model classification systems using general conceptual models to support organization and discovery in Semantic Web settings

Can the FRSAD conceptual model be extended to model classification data? (presented at UDC Seminar, 2011)

Can the FRBR model be used to represent the complex relationships among different versions of classification systems? (presented at ISKO conference, 2012)

Current Study

Can the FRSAD conceptual model be extended to model classification data in order to derive implementable models for classification systems that involve multiple translations and/or multicultural implementations?

Outline

1. FRSAD conceptual model

2. FRSAD model for classification systems

3. DDC translation case study

4. Chinese Library Classification case study

5. Use cases

6. Future work

1. FRSAD Conceptual Model

The core of the FRSAD conceptual model

FRSAD Part 1: WORK has as subject THEMA / THEMA is subject of WORK

FRSAD Part 2: THEMA has appellation NOMEN / NOMEN is appellation of THEMA

NOMEN = any sign or sequence of signs (alphanumeric characters, symbols, sound, etc.) that a thema is known by, referred to or addressed as

2. FRSAD model for classification systems• Thema corresponds to the full category

description of the class

• Nomen is the symbol (or surrogate) used to represent the full category description

Thema: Class 025.04

Nomens: DDC number, Full caption, URI

025.04

Computer science, information & general works/Library & information sciences/Operations of libraries, archives, information centers/Information storage and retrieval systems

http://dewey.info/class/025.04/

Alternative nomens: Relative Index terms with explicit functional equivalence relationship ( ) to class 025.04

3. DDC translation case study

Relationships between DDC classes in translations

1. Thema [class] 22/eng = Thema [class] 22/swe

2. Nomens may be used interchangeably (if not limited by a language-specific attribute)

Equivalent classes at same notational level

Class 741.5 22/eng Class 741.5 22/swe

Interchangeable Nomens for Class 741.5741.5

Arts & recreation / Drawing & decorative arts / Drawing and drawings / Special applications / Comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips

Konst & fritid / Teckningskonst och konsthantverk / Teckningskonst och teckningar / Speciella tillämpningsområden / Seriemagasin, grafiska romaner, fotonovelas, tecknade serier, karikatyrer, skämtserier

http://dewey.info/class/741.5/

Equivalent classes at same notational level, with further expansion in one edition

Class T2—4888 22/eng Class T2—4888 22/swe

Relationship between terminal class in one edition with interoperable subclasses in another edition

4. Chinese Library Classification case study

CLC Class J29 Calligraphy

Alternative (optional) notation

Q Biological sciences

[Q89] Environmental biology

Preferred class: X17

X1 Environmental Sciences .

. .

X17 Environmental biology

5. Use cases

• Translation

• Mapping

• Integration

• Discovery

Example: Integration (Virtual scope note)

T2—4888 (22/eng)T2—4888+ (22/swe)

Example: Discovery

T2—4888 (22/eng) T2—4888+ (22/swe)

Relative Index term “Pajala kommun (Sverige)” retrieves T2—4888 (22/eng) or T2—488846 (22/swe)

6. Future work

• Model Relative Index as a separate controlled vocabulary under the FRSAD conceptual model to explore topic-centered approach (exploratory work under way by R. Green)

• Investigate mapped terminology from other controlled vocabularies

• Investigate mapped relationships between different classification systems