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DSG discussion, 2013-06-03
- Because the four WEMI terms are closely inter-related and all are used in the DCRM introductions, the glossary should either have all four or none.
- Treating all terms the same takes precedence over the usual method of only adding things to the glossary when they have specialized meaning. In addition, there was some disagreement over whether the dictionary definition of "expression" is in fact specific to the FRBR meaning
- FRBR definitions should be used if they depart from the RDA definitions (UPDATE 2013-07-27: RDA definitions seem easier to understand)
To do
- Add the definitions for all four terms (Erin)
- Go through the language and replace the term "work" when it's not used in its strict FRBR sense with another term: publication, resource, &c. (all modules)
Archived discussion
From Erin:
Issue
Manifestation is used in the WEMI sense in DCRM(B) and DCRM(S): both say their instructions "assume familiarity with the FRBR terms used to categorize entities that are the products of intellectual or artistic endeavor (work, expression, manifestation, and item)" and go on to use "manifestation" in the WEMI sense four or five times (in S and B, respectively) without including the term in the glossary.
Proposal
Add "Manifestation" to Glossary using the definition that DCRM(G) once had, but removed because it wasn't a material-specific reason to differ: [see Update, below]
Manifestation. The physical embodiment of an expression of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation.
Justifications
- The relevant definition is not included in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
- Despite the WEMI model having been around for 15 years (when IFLA published the FRBR final report), it's still an unfamiliar concept to many who did not go to library school recently.
- This doesn't mean we'd have to define other WEMI terms, since the ordinary dictionary meanings of "work," "expression," and "item" make sense without affecting interpretation of the rules.
Complication
DCRM(B) uses "work" instead of "manifestation" in at least 10 rules (1A2.3, 1B6, 1D2.3, 1D2.4, 1E9, 1G8, 5B6.5, 7A1.2, 7B6.4, 7B18.2); presumably DCRM(S) does the same thing sometimes, but I didn't search the text to check.
Solutions to complication
- DCRM doesn't promise to use WEMI terms only in their FRBR sense.
- In almost every case, replacing "work" with "publication" would eliminate the conflict.
Update
- Turns out the DCRM(G) close-reading text DID keep the glossary definition of "Manifestation" in after all. See first comment.
Comments
Comments (6)
Erin Blake said
at 12:04 am on May 19, 2013
As it happens, the definition of "Manifestation" is in the DCRM(G) glossary after all, but this wasn't obvious to close-readers going through alphabetically because the word wasn't in bold when used in definitions.
Still, it seems worth keeping this here for further discussion, if desired. With FRBR having been taught in library school theory classes for some time now, it might be worth rewording instances of "work" in the body of the text, when appropriate (i.e., don't replace it with "manifestation" or "expression;" rather, rephrase it with a term that isn't ambiguous, but also isn't jargony).
Deborah J. Leslie said
at 9:49 am on May 20, 2013
Tightening up the language in all the modules is a good idea and it sounds like it won't require verbal gymnastics.
I wonder about not defining the other WEMI terms, though, especially if you're using two of them in the definition of 'manifestation'. Even if one doesn't need a precise WEMI understanding of 'expression' in order to interpret the rules, one does need one in order to understand the definition of 'manifestation'.
Erin Blake said
at 12:30 pm on May 20, 2013
Really? The way I figure it, the use of "expression" in the definition doesn't depend on specialized knowledge, since the first dictionary definition of "expression" happens to be the same as the WEMI one. (That's the only WEMI word I see in the definition).
Merriam-Webster: Expression. An act, process, or instance of representing in a medium (as words)
DCRM(G): Manifestation. The physical embodiment of an expression of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation.
Deborah J. Leslie said
at 2:01 pm on May 20, 2013
2nd par withdrawn.
Nancy Lorimer said
at 12:03 pm on May 20, 2013
I agree some of our language could use tightening up; it was a thing we did struggle with some. We cannot use "publication" in all instances, since we are referring to unpublished material as well as published. In many such instances, we have used the term "resource", which is taken from RDA obviously. It does have the advantage of not specifying the WEMI level. It is admittedly somewhat jargonish, but it is cataloging jargon and these are cataloging manuals
Erin Blake said
at 6:18 pm on Jun 4, 2013
See DCG discussion 2013-06-03 at top of page for meeting outcome
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