Oriental Studies (Dec 2020)
Tibetan Heritage in Digital Space: Approaches and Implementation
Abstract
Introduction. The Tibetan-language written tradition is a most significant and distinctive cultural phenomenon of global significance, both in terms of amount and content, and in sophisticated approaches to classification and systematization. In recent decades, numerous projects have been initiated which aimed at digitizing the Tibetan heritage. Goals. The study seeks to identify and evaluate methodological and instrumental approaches to the presentation of Tibetan-language monuments in the global information space. Materials and Methods. The work includes a comparative analysis of the most successful international initiatives intended for preservation and actualization of the Tibetan written culture with the aid of modern information technologies. Firstly, these projects are interesting from the perspective of initial motivations of participants, characteristics of their target audience, and main methodologies implemented. Secondly, particular attention is paid to the consideration of the technical backend of the projects and certain specific features of the frontend information resources created within their framework, namely, online databases and web portals. Results. The analysis reveals the initiatives have been based on a variety of academic, religious and social motives that define both the target audience and organizational and methodological approaches. Thus, digital adaptation of the Tibetan written tradition appears in aspects of preservation of cultural heritage, actualization of its religious and social significance, historical reconstruction of cultural interaction in Central, Southern and Eastern Asia. The paper also clarifies that the proposed information resources form a continuous digital environment that gives a holistic representation of the content, history and current state of Tibetan written culture. Conclusions. The digital initiatives under consideration not only make an invaluable contribution to the development of academic Tibetan studies but also provide a form of social, informational and educational support to native communities spread across different countries and involved in Tibetan culture. With the use of the methodological and information technology developments described in the article, organizations that deal with the problems of preserving and studying historical and cultural heritage around the world could plan or correct their activities in the digital sphere.
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