Digital humanities: definitional issue

Abstract

Definitional work is never neutral. On the contrary, it is full of issues. The definition of digital humanities is no exception to the rule. The article thus shows that the definition consisting in circumscribing a set of entities that will be included and distinguishing between them and what is excluded, also leads to the configuration of the included vs. excluded collectives, their identity, belonging and the distribution of resources. The definitional work observed in the digital humanities arenas thus appears to be loaded with issues, which is documented in relation to research collectives and professional circles in culture, heritage and the humanities and social sciences. The article also shows that the definitional work puts the included entities on an equal footing, but that internal differentiations and relationships of hegemony between the collectives involved persist. Finally, it also shows that the definitional work is linked to the production of promises and the enunciation of risks associated with the deployment of digital technology, which must be included or excluded.

Keywords

• digital humanities
• digital humanism
• digital humanities definition
• promises of digital humanities
• risks of digital humanities