Description and Discovery Strategy Librarian University of New Hampshire
Library catalogs are traditionally viewed as functional tools designed to organize and provide access to information. Collection audits often identify unbalanced collections. A recent collection audit revealed issues with data quality of translated titles. When a work is translated, it is not simply transferred from one language to another; there are cultural, historical, and social contexts of both the original work and the translation itself. A catalog that only lists a title, author, and publisher can be seen as analogous to a literal translation—which can fail to convey information necessary for complete understanding. A thick translation goes beyond conveying the literal meaning of a text. It incorporates cultural and linguistic context from the source language, often achieved by adding explanations, annotations, or background information. Applying thick translation to "thick cataloging" means bringing information like original language to the forefront, to provide context that informs users.
The presentation will offer a case study of conscious rule-breaking to explore how libraries can prioritize the resources most in need of a "thick translation." It discusses how such an approach can complement or differ from traditional collection assessment work. Examples will illustrate how each library’s interpretation of a thick translation can vary, much like how different translators bring unique perspectives to the same text. Participants will leave with actionable strategies for implementing thick translation practices in their own libraries
Learning Objectives:
o Understand concepts involved in think translation, what it is, why it is needed and when it is most needed
o Identify how thick translation opportunities are developed from diversity audit tasks
o Conduct discussions at their local libraries about informed rule breaking and practical strategies for implementing a thick translation approach
