The Morais Dictionary: Following Best Practices in a Retro-digitized Dictionary Project

Abstract

This article outlines essential best practices for retro-digitized dictionary projects, using the ongoing MORDigital project (DOI 10.54499/PTDC/LLT-LIN/6841/2020) as a case study. The MORDigital project focuses on digitally transforming the historically significant Portuguese Morais dictionary’s first three editions (1789, 1813, 1823). While the primary objective is to create faithful digital versions of these renowned dictionaries, MORDigital stands out by going beyond the mere adoption of established best practices. Instead, it reflects on the choices made throughout the process, providing insights into the decision-making process. The key topics emphasized include (1) the establishment of a robust data model; (2) the refinement of metadata; (3) the implementation of consistent identifiers; and (4) the enhancement of encoding techniques; additionally exploring the issue of structuring domain labelling. The article aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on best practices in retro-digitized dictionary projects and their implications for data preservation and knowledge organization.