The project
The project Compendium of the Italian translations in the world, approved by Ministerial Decree D.M. n.564 del 28/11/2019, aims to identify the validated translations of Italian works in the world. The Compendium efficiently contributes to substantiate the presence of Italian language and culture in the international scene. Considering that the Italian knowledge contribution to Western cultural heritage is expressed by and in the cultural and vehicular languages of the modern and contemporary world, we hope to create and spread a map of the Italian authors’ works in an international context, thus producing the Compendium.
The Compendium of the Italian translations in the world, as a systemic survey, works as a map that is a fundamental tool for strategies of cultural politics and diplomacy; for both traditional and cutting-edge cultural entrepreneurship; for those who, working in Italy or abroad, are aware (or want to improve awareness) of the international role of Italian language and culture.
Thus, the Compendium takes the form of a map, easily searchable according to several criteria: geolinguistic area; author; translator; text typology; work; cultural field.
The Compendium realization process was based on three dimensions:
- Level of critical processing and theoretical realization: identification of works; determination of tools; creation of geolinguistic and historical “maps”;
- Level of data collection and presentation: creation of a database and a website. Such tools make the map concrete and accessible thanks to digital potentialities. They guarantee the knowledge aim of the Compendium, making it possible to conduct scientific research and to enhance cultural development;
- Level of results dissemination: generally speaking, this is possible thanks to our website and other digital tools; on a more punctual and specific level, the results will be disseminated during events and seminars of various kinds.
This project was planned in various stages. The first phase works as a pilot project, as a work pattern, as a model of conceptual and working processing, and as an investigation on the necessary tools to create it.