A study published in 2017 about leisure time use of average American citizens depicted the percentage of time Americans read, played video games or did other leisure activities on the computer. On...Show moreA study published in 2017 about leisure time use of average American citizens depicted the percentage of time Americans read, played video games or did other leisure activities on the computer. On an average day, only 21% of respondents in 2015 would read as a pastime, a decrease from the 27% of respondents that would read for pleasure in 2005. As opposed to this, the playing of video games as a pastime increased by 38%. With the preference of time use leaning towards gaming as well as the increasing popularity of smartphones and online devices, most people tend to spend more time reading from a screen rather than from print with the average adult spending around nine hours per day reading, swiping and listening to media. This, however, is claimed to crucially affect our level of text comprehension. Experts on study and learning claim that people remember less when reading something from a screen because of a multitude of factors. It has been argued, for instance, that texts are taken less seriously due to the loss of physical location, as explored in Jabr’s article “The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: The Science of Paper versus Screens”, which will be researched in more detail further on in this thesis, and that the loss of physical characteristics, such as pages put up barriers for comprehension and for memorization.Reading from electronic devices such as laptops or tablets can also affect the degree of concentration a reader experiences because of the constant presence of distractions.4 Various scholars have found that readers cannot be immersed as easily in digital texts. The notion of immersion is defined in this thesis as “the feeling of being lost in a story”; one loses track of their surroundings and devotes their full concentration of the story. But to what degree can readers feel immersed in texts that are read in video games? Many video games contain texts as well, next to still and moving images. This thesis concentrates on text-rich video games, which are video games of any genre whose most important feature is text; although text rich video games can be beautifully designed, the reader/player needs to read the text to proceed in the game. Playing a text-rich video game can be considered a hybrid genre, as it entails reading and playing video games simultaneously. It offers individuals the opportunity to do both at once meaning they will not have to choose one of the activities over the other. When considering immersion in text-rich games, Madigan believes that one of the central characteristics of an immersive game is “a strong and interesting narrative, plot, or story”. This statement, as well as research into text rich video games by Catherine Beavis, have spurred my interest in this subject. This thesis will consist of two parts. One part describes the theory behind text rich games. Among other information, this theoretical section will include a clear definition and delineation of the term ‘text rich games’. Furthermore, this part of this thesis will touch upon theories of navigability, reading comprehension, immersion, narrative, and medium to determine whether reading video game text is feasible, desirable and similar to reading from print. The second part discusses research into reading culture and immersion, based on a case study which compares experiences of a printed version of The Shamutanti Hills by Steve Jackson and the video game adaptation of the same book. The concepts that have been researched in the theoretical section will be put to the test in this section of the thesis. The main aim of the case study is to examine whether the act of reading a text in video game format can genuinely be seen as (deep) reading. Alternatively, should this solely be considered playing a video game? The hypothesis is that the degree of immersion in the text of the video game will be similar to the text of the gamebook, this due to the similarity in non-linear form of the video game and the gamebook. A gamebook is a genre of printed book that combines elements of traditional text with elements of games in which readers choose their own stories; by flipping through the pages and following clues in the numbered paragraphs, readers find out what their choices entail. Since the game primarily works with clicks and reading, the distractions are expected to be minimal. Considering reading comprehension, the hypothesis is that participants should read about the same amount of text with similar results for reading comprehension, due to the non-conventional format of the texts, and the visual cues both texts provide.Show less
Lebanon's religious institutions have been preserving the country's religious and cultural heritage since they were established several centuries ago. Digitisation is the latest tool in the...Show moreLebanon's religious institutions have been preserving the country's religious and cultural heritage since they were established several centuries ago. Digitisation is the latest tool in the preservation efforts by the country's academic institutions, some established by religious orders initially, though secular now. They are building on a well-established tradition of scholarship and research. The efforts by the country's academic institutions, who have acted as safeguards of their own religious and cultural heritage, are a recognition of the need to preserve that legacy for future generations. These academic institutions have taken up this responsibility in the absence of state efforts to do so, due to wars over the centuries and changes in ruling powers, and a lack of strong government institutions to lead on that front. Digitisation has already brought down barriers and will help the country build digital scholarship and ensure its wealth of cultural heritage is safeguarded as well as shared beyond its borders.Show less
This research was focussed on the appearance of reading aids (e.g. table of contents, index, pilcrows, pagination, spacing etc.) in early printed books written in Middle Dutch and Latin. Several...Show moreThis research was focussed on the appearance of reading aids (e.g. table of contents, index, pilcrows, pagination, spacing etc.) in early printed books written in Middle Dutch and Latin. Several aids were examined with emphasis on how and why the appeared (or lacked) in early printed books.Show less
This research demonstrates and analyses a quantitative approach to literary criticism in the Digital Humanities by predominantly aiming to answer the question: is there a clearly distinguishable...Show moreThis research demonstrates and analyses a quantitative approach to literary criticism in the Digital Humanities by predominantly aiming to answer the question: is there a clearly distinguishable female writing style that is a shared foundation of female author’s novels in the Victorian period? In order to achieve this goal, a number of steps had to be taken. First, a foundation for this research’s case study was established by explaining the socio-cultural history of women writers in the Victorian period and by detailing the history of the Digital Humanities and computational research. Secondly, the compilation of the corpus and the methodology of the case study were elaborately explained and all decisions justified. The predominant terminology – the terms writing style and gender – were clarified as well in order to exclude confusion or multiple interpretations of these elements. Thirdly, the results of the case study were presented and interpreted. Here a conscious decision was made to only discuss these outliers briefly instead of examining them with close reading as this study predominantly focused on similarities instead of abnormalities in writing style between women in the Victorian period. Lastly, the limits of this study were discussed in detail and suggestions for future research were made.Show less
El Saco de Amberes is an unedited play whose authority has been questioned by academics -the question remains of whether it was written by Calderón de la Barca, as the two copies that are left...Show moreEl Saco de Amberes is an unedited play whose authority has been questioned by academics -the question remains of whether it was written by Calderón de la Barca, as the two copies that are left affirm, or Rojas Zorrilla. This is an edition of the text that can be found in the eighteenth-century prints found in the Castilla-la-Mancha library and the Institut del Teatre, the two only copies left of this play. This edition includes a thorough introduction and a a version of the text translated to English.Show less
During the late nineteenth and twentieth century newspaper front pages have evolved quite homogeneously across Western society. At the same time, the general public became much more familiar with...Show moreDuring the late nineteenth and twentieth century newspaper front pages have evolved quite homogeneously across Western society. At the same time, the general public became much more familiar with images and imagery thanks to the rise of photography and the growing popularity and accessibility of art. In this thesis, it is researched how newspaper front pages function as free-standing images themselves. First, the technological, societal, and cultural history of newspapers is discussed. Next, several art historical theories on composition are discussed. These two elements are put together in the third chapter for a case study of 100 years of front pages of Nieuwsblad van het Noorden. The compositions of the front pages of this Dutch regional newspaper aren't very pleasing from an art historical perspective, but do tend to some form of balance. The recognisability of newspaper front pages is confirmed with this research.Show less
This thesis examines the relevance of the use of computational methods for literary interpretations on a micro-level. The value of using computational methods on this level is examined partly by...Show moreThis thesis examines the relevance of the use of computational methods for literary interpretations on a micro-level. The value of using computational methods on this level is examined partly by means of a literature review of earlier studies that have incorporated such methods, as well as with the aid of a case study of Hermann Hesse’s 1922 novel Siddhartha.Show less
The mission of the Dutch public library was, and remains to be “the elevation of the people” through the access to information and the culture of reading. Unfortunately, the Dutch public library...Show moreThe mission of the Dutch public library was, and remains to be “the elevation of the people” through the access to information and the culture of reading. Unfortunately, the Dutch public library sector today deals with declining numbers in the number of library members, library visits, library branches, loans, and the scope of the collection. These facts are often assigned to budget cuts, but likewise to societal changes. Dutch citizens are increasingly making use of the Internet and digital media, and are making less and less use of traditional print media. Therefore, the Dutch reading culture is turning more and more into a digital reading culture. That is why Dutch public libraries – to remain relevant in the increasingly digital society – need to think about a new or adjusted realization of their mission. Public libraries in Scandinavia show that success can be found in a combination of the modern and the traditional. Most library visitors like to have a public space where they can physically meet and talk – surrounded by filled bookcases – but, simultaneously, to have access to new digital technology. Therefore, Dutch public libraries should attempt to find a middle way between the modern and the traditional. They should continue to offer a public place for the local community, with the traditional library services, but likewise offer access to digital technology.Show less
The Revised Classified Materia Medica is a revision of Chinese medical encyclopedia, Materia Medica with Evidence, compiled by Tang Shenwei in the Song dynasty (1097-1100). This book was published...Show moreThe Revised Classified Materia Medica is a revision of Chinese medical encyclopedia, Materia Medica with Evidence, compiled by Tang Shenwei in the Song dynasty (1097-1100). This book was published and reprinted many times by different publishers in history. Why this medical encyclopedia enjoyed such a great success and popularity over five hundred years, especially in the Ming dynasty? Following Darnton’s communication circuit model, this thesis investigates individual phases in the circuit to present those editions published by commercial publishers, new players with a growing influence on the publishing market, during the late Ming dynasty. Specific political, social, economic and cultural factors in the late Ming dynasty can explain the enduring success of this medical encyclopedia during that period. The highly commercialized Ming economy and the development of science and technology gave rise to a booming printing industry. And the flourishing state of the late Ming commercial publishing industry and the popularity of regularly used self-help information books further stimulated the production and wide distribution of commercially published illustrated medical works. Besides, against the background of recurrent and persistent epidemics, and because of the long-established values of Neo-Confucian philosophy, the growing class of literati developed a habit of reading medical texts for self-treatment and caring for their family members. Revised Classified Materia Medica even found its way to some neighboring countries of China, but genuine western readers of Chinese books would not emerge until the nineteenth century.Show less
This edition elaborately discusses the letters between London based nurseryman William Malcolm (d.1798) and David van Royen (1727-1799), professor of Botany and the director of the Hortus Botanicus...Show moreThis edition elaborately discusses the letters between London based nurseryman William Malcolm (d.1798) and David van Royen (1727-1799), professor of Botany and the director of the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden, written between 1768-1773. The research focuses on how this correspondence gives insight in the study of botany in Leiden and the development of its botanical garden, the international plant trade and the extensive network of people involved, and the close relationship between science and commerce in the second half of the eighteenth century.Show less
De Militaire Willemsorde, a Dutch play by Rosier Faassen, can be found in the Special Collections of the Leiden University Library. It exists in several different versions, in print as well as a...Show moreDe Militaire Willemsorde, a Dutch play by Rosier Faassen, can be found in the Special Collections of the Leiden University Library. It exists in several different versions, in print as well as a manuscript in beautiful nineteenth century script, dating from 1873 until presumably 1885. This historical drama about a family torn apart by a young soldier going to war had never since been edited. After all these years, a new edition was made so that yet again this humorous play with experiences recognizable to many generations can be performed and studied anew. Furthermore, a biographical element also appears in the edition whereby parts of Faassen’s auto-biography, which also has not been edited since the late nineteenth century, was used. To provide access to the text for a broader audience, the text was translated from Dutch to English. Much of the same considerations being used to edit the text were also used to prepare the translation. Hunter’s Editing Early Modern Texts as well as Mathijsen’s Naar de Letter was used in the editing process, as a framework and point of guidance. The edition takes the form of what Mathijsen calls a ‘study-edition’ , and contains a historical, critical edition of the text, as well as a justification of the choice of copy text, extensive commentary on the text, including historical and biographical information as well as a stylistic analysis of the text (based on Leech and Short). The translation is preceded by a theoretical framework on the process and strategies that were used in the translation of this drama from the nineteenth century. The overall procedure for the translation of the text was centered around the notions of domestication versus foreignization (Venuti) as well as notions of historicization and modernization, and performability (Bassnett and Lefevere). Vinay and Darbelnet’s translation procedures were discussed and used in the annotated translation, to describe the procedures used for the variety of translation problems that arose during the process. Lefevere’s work on translation as rewriting is especially relevant here, as he also remarks that “the same basic process of rewriting is at work in translation, historiography, anthologization, criticism, and editing” (9). In Lefevere’s words lies the suggestion that a natural relationship exists between translation studies and the world of the editor and philologist, which in reality seems to be a struggled one. Translation is often underrated by philologists, with their translated texts being used for instrumental purposes. A discussion about the mutual importance of translation and philology, and the recognition awarded in their respective fields was necessary here. The question: “How can the fields of philology and translation be reconciled in the edition and translation of De Militaire Willemsorde?” is answered in the final chapter.Show less
This thesis has analysed the publisher Jacobus van Egmont and the place he occupied on the competitive popular book market of early eighteenth century Amsterdam. The thesis focuses on how the...Show moreThis thesis has analysed the publisher Jacobus van Egmont and the place he occupied on the competitive popular book market of early eighteenth century Amsterdam. The thesis focuses on how the societal and cultural changes of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century are represented in Van Egmont's list of publications and how these changes influenced Van Egmont's strategy and career.Show less
This thesis has examined the presence of English books in the libraries of three well-read Dutchmen in the seventeenth century: Balthasar Lydius, Johannes de Laet and Justus Turcq. Consequently,...Show moreThis thesis has examined the presence of English books in the libraries of three well-read Dutchmen in the seventeenth century: Balthasar Lydius, Johannes de Laet and Justus Turcq. Consequently, it has examined the influence of Anglo-Dutch relations on the contents of the libraries of Dutchmen in the Golden Age.Show less
This thesis examines the buying behaviour of Dutch women during the eighteenth century and determines whether a change can be detected in the kinds of works that women bought. The research is based...Show moreThis thesis examines the buying behaviour of Dutch women during the eighteenth century and determines whether a change can be detected in the kinds of works that women bought. The research is based on the female customers that came to Luchtmans, an academic bookshop in Leiden, and thus the main source of this study is the extensive archive that the firm has left behind. At the start of the eighteenth century, a wealthy mother primarily visited the shop to purchase school books for her young children. However, as the century progressed, an increasing number of unmarried women came to buy newspapers and novels, as they had more freedom to pursue their own interests. Although these women were certainly not representative of the general female population in Leiden, an interesting shift presented itself when comparing women from two time periods in the eighteenth century.Show less
This paper revolves around the changes that the academic library of the 21st century has to go through because of the e-book. It analyses the different acquisition methods, the implications for the...Show moreThis paper revolves around the changes that the academic library of the 21st century has to go through because of the e-book. It analyses the different acquisition methods, the implications for the library’s administration as well as the user experiences with the electronic book. Finally, it explores the possibility of the library transforming into an institution of access instead of an ownership which was the status quo for many years.Show less
A case study of De Correspondent's move to include a paperback publishing division to their online platform for research journalism. An analysis of the current market situation in publishing in the...Show moreA case study of De Correspondent's move to include a paperback publishing division to their online platform for research journalism. An analysis of the current market situation in publishing in the Netherlands, and what De Correspondent's developments and choices might mean for the future of the book.Show less
‘The Lorelei: “Verfasser unbekannt” – Fact or Fiction’ explores the earliest sources of a rumour, saying that the Nationalist Socialists changed the attribution of the famous German folk song from...Show more‘The Lorelei: “Verfasser unbekannt” – Fact or Fiction’ explores the earliest sources of a rumour, saying that the Nationalist Socialists changed the attribution of the famous German folk song from Heinrich Heine, its actual author, to ‘author unknown’. Research shows that the rumour has its roots in the German emigrant press, being repeated so often that it even persists today. The rumour appeared late 1934, i.e. earlier than the source that is usually named as the earliest source: the preface of Walter Behrendson’s book ‘Der lebendige Heine im germanischen Norden’. The conflict between the song as a symbol of genuine German culture and the author’s Jewish origin was even mentioned before 1934, namely in a satire dated early 1932.Show less
