SGML-based markup for literary texts: Two problems and some solutions

Abstract

There is wide agreement on the need for a markup standard for encoding literary texts. The Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) seems to provide the best basis for such a standard. But two problems inhibit the acceptance of SGML for this purpose. (1) Computer-assisted textual studies often require the maintenance of multiple views of a document's structure, but SGML is not designed to accommodate such views. (2) An SGML-based standard would appear to entail the keyboarding of more markup than researchers are accustomed to, or are likely to accept. We discuss five ways of dealing with the first problem, and several ways of reducing the burden of markup. We conclude that the problem of maintaining multiple views can be surmounted, though with some difficulty, and that the markup required for an SGML-based standard can be reduced to a level comparable to that of other markup schemes currently in use. Ron Hayter is the Senior Software Developer of Software Exoterica Corporation, Ottawa, Canada. Maria Karibaba obtained the M.Sc. degree in Computing and Information Science at Queen's University and returned to Greece. George Logan is Head of the Department of English at Queen's University, Canada. John McFadden is the President of Software Exoterica Corporation, Ottawa, Canada