Core CC:DA Public Space

A proposal has been submitted to RSC for the November meeting,  RSC/ExamplesEditor/2024/1, Proposal to add glossary definitions for fictitious entity and non-human entity. 

If you have comments or suggestions on this proposal, please post them here before September 30. As usual there is a short turn around time and NARDAC would like a CC:DA response by October 1.

Thanks!

Kathy

------------------------------
Kathy Glennan
Chair, CC:DA
Director, Cataloging & Metadata Services
University of Maryland Libraries
she/her/hers
------------------------------

Posting a response on behalf of Amanda Xu, CC:DA voting member:

The definition for a "fictitious entity" captures the essence of how fictional characters, etc. are recognized within the context of bibliographic and cataloging frameworks.  However, we could improve it using plain English.  The following is the revised definition:

Fictitious Entity

A conceptual creation originating from human imagination, representing characters, places, or events that do not exist in reality. These entities are external to the Resource Description and Access (RDA) framework and are often recognized in literary, artistic, or cultural works. A fictitious entity may be referenced by name in manifestation statements, bibliographic records, or other sources, and can serve as a central subject of a work, influencing narratives and themes across various media.

Comment: This revision acknowledges the creative contributions of authors and creators, allowing for a richer understanding and exploration of fictional worlds.

The definition of Non-Human Entity is also essential to the context of bibliographic and cataloging frameworks.  How do you like the following revision:

Non-Human Entity

An entity external to the Resource Description and Access (RDA) framework that embodies characteristics typically associated with agents, yet does not possess human attributes. This category includes non-human animals, legendary or mythological beings, spirits, deities, and automated processes that may exhibit certain human-like traits. Non-human entities may be referenced by name in manifestation statements, bibliographic records, or other sources, and can serve as central subjects in various works, enriching narratives and cultural expressions.

Comment: This revision will clarify the definition while emphasizing the broad range of entities included and their significance in literature and culture.

Thanks a lot for your consideration!!!

Amanda

------------------------------
Kathy Glennan
Director, Cataloging & Metadata Services
University of Maryland Libraries
she/her/hers

Original Message:
Sent: Aug 28, 2024 03:05 PM
From: Kathryn Glennan
Subject: Comments requested: RSC/Examples Editor/2024/1

A proposal has been submitted to RSC for the November meeting,  RSC/ExamplesEditor/2024/1, Proposal to add glossary definitions for fictitious entity and non-human entity. 

If you have comments or suggestions on this proposal, please post them here before September 30. As usual there is a short turn around time and NARDAC would like a CC:DA response by October 1.

Thanks!

Kathy

------------------------------
Kathy Glennan
Chair, CC:DA
Director, Cataloging & Metadata Services
University of Maryland Libraries
she/her/hers
------------------------------

Hi Kathy,

I shared this proposal with my co-workers, and there was general support for defining these terms and clarifying the distinction between fictitious character and "non-human entity." These are some editorial comments for consideration:

• I realize the phrase "external to RDA" is used already in RDA, but so is "outside the scope of RDA" and the later phrase may be more clear as 
  external" can mean "the outer part" so someone could interpret that phrase to mean the entity is still in the scope of RDA. 
• The word "central" seems unnecessary as does the phrases after "subject of a work".  A fictitious character or a non-human entity can be a tertiary subject of a work--the level does not matter. Whether such an entity "enriches" or "influences" a narrative is subjective and this seems like unnecessary fluff not needed for the definition. A fictitious character appearing in one work that is manifested once that is read by one person is still a fictitious character regardless of influence.

Posting a response on behalf of Amanda Xu, CC:DA voting member:

The definition for a "fictitious entity" captures the essence of how fictional characters, etc. are recognized within the context of bibliographic and cataloging frameworks.  However, we could improve it using plain English.  The following is the revised definition:

Fictitious Entity

A conceptual creation originating from human imagination, representing characters, places, or events that do not exist in reality. These entities are external to the Resource Description and Access (RDA) framework and are often recognized in literary, artistic, or cultural works. A fictitious entity may be referenced by name in manifestation statements, bibliographic records, or other sources, and can serve as a central subject of a work, influencing narratives and themes across various media.

Comment: This revision acknowledges the creative contributions of authors and creators, allowing for a richer understanding and exploration of fictional worlds.

The definition of Non-Human Entity is also essential to the context of bibliographic and cataloging frameworks.  How do you like the following revision:

Non-Human Entity

An entity external to the Resource Description and Access (RDA) framework that embodies characteristics typically associated with agents, yet does not possess human attributes. This category includes non-human animals, legendary or mythological beings, spirits, deities, and automated processes that may exhibit certain human-like traits. Non-human entities may be referenced by name in manifestation statements, bibliographic records, or other sources, and can serve as central subjects in various works, enriching narratives and cultural expressions.

Comment: This revision will clarify the definition while emphasizing the broad range of entities included and their significance in literature and culture.

Thanks a lot for your consideration!!!

Amanda

A proposal has been submitted to RSC for the November meeting,  RSC/ExamplesEditor/2024/1, Proposal to add glossary definitions for fictitious entity and non-human entity. 

If you have comments or suggestions on this proposal, please post them here before September 30. As usual there is a short turn around time and NARDAC would like a CC:DA response by October 1.

Thanks!

Kathy

------------------------------
Kathy Glennan
Chair, CC:DA
Director, Cataloging & Metadata Services
University of Maryland Libraries
she/her/hers
------------------------------

My colleagues did not have any specific comments on this proposal.

Fictitious Entity

I agree with Amanda on the usefulness of clearer language in the definitions, and support incorporating similar phrasing. Like Kate and her colleagues, the main wording that trips me up is "external to RDA," since it's unclear what exactly "external" means here to me. I think Amanda's rephrasing as "entities ... external to the Resource Description and Access (RDA) framework" is succinct and clarifying. 

I also appreciate the clarity in Amanda's rephrasing the second part of the definition to "may be referenced by name in manifestation statements, bibliographic records, or other sources, and can serve as a central subject of a work." That reads as clearer and more useful, at least to me.

Non-Human Entity

Same as above; I really appreciate Amanda's rephrasing for clarity and practical application.

Hi Kathy,

I shared this proposal with my co-workers, and there was general support for defining these terms and clarifying the distinction between fictitious character and "non-human entity." These are some editorial comments for consideration:

• I realize the phrase "external to RDA" is used already in RDA, but so is "outside the scope of RDA" and the later phrase may be more clear as 
  external" can mean "the outer part" so someone could interpret that phrase to mean the entity is still in the scope of RDA. 
• The word "central" seems unnecessary as does the phrases after "subject of a work".  A fictitious character or a non-human entity can be a tertiary subject of a work--the level does not matter. Whether such an entity "enriches" or "influences" a narrative is subjective and this seems like unnecessary fluff not needed for the definition. A fictitious character appearing in one work that is manifested once that is read by one person is still a fictitious character regardless of influence.

Posting a response on behalf of Amanda Xu, CC:DA voting member:

The definition for a "fictitious entity" captures the essence of how fictional characters, etc. are recognized within the context of bibliographic and cataloging frameworks.  However, we could improve it using plain English.  The following is the revised definition:

Fictitious Entity

A conceptual creation originating from human imagination, representing characters, places, or events that do not exist in reality. These entities are external to the Resource Description and Access (RDA) framework and are often recognized in literary, artistic, or cultural works. A fictitious entity may be referenced by name in manifestation statements, bibliographic records, or other sources, and can serve as a central subject of a work, influencing narratives and themes across various media.

Comment: This revision acknowledges the creative contributions of authors and creators, allowing for a richer understanding and exploration of fictional worlds.

The definition of Non-Human Entity is also essential to the context of bibliographic and cataloging frameworks.  How do you like the following revision:

Non-Human Entity

An entity external to the Resource Description and Access (RDA) framework that embodies characteristics typically associated with agents, yet does not possess human attributes. This category includes non-human animals, legendary or mythological beings, spirits, deities, and automated processes that may exhibit certain human-like traits. Non-human entities may be referenced by name in manifestation statements, bibliographic records, or other sources, and can serve as central subjects in various works, enriching narratives and cultural expressions.

Comment: This revision will clarify the definition while emphasizing the broad range of entities included and their significance in literature and culture.

Thanks a lot for your consideration!!!

Amanda

A proposal has been submitted to RSC for the November meeting,  RSC/ExamplesEditor/2024/1, Proposal to add glossary definitions for fictitious entity and non-human entity. 

If you have comments or suggestions on this proposal, please post them here before September 30. As usual there is a short turn around time and NARDAC would like a CC:DA response by October 1.

Thanks!

Kathy

------------------------------
Kathy Glennan
Chair, CC:DA
Director, Cataloging & Metadata Services
University of Maryland Libraries
she/her/hers
------------------------------