Incorporating the examination of the semantic evolution of Scandinavian and Baltic key song and singing terms this WP seeks to decode the complex discourses surrounding the cultural phenomenon. By focusing on these representations in the historic critical period in which the modern-day nation-states emerged and consolidated, WP1 aims to tap directly into the historical and contemporary national public opinions, providing a unique lens through which to view the societal impacts of collective singing.
Utilizing state-of-the-art simple neural word embedding and change detection/description methods, WP1 will analyze key song terms (e.g., ‘sang’ in Danish and Norwegian, ‘sång’ in Swedish, ‘dainuoti’ in Lithuanian, ‘laulis’ in Estonian, ‘dziedāt’ in Latvian) extracted from Scandinavian and Baltic cultural heritage datasets comprising newspapers, periodicals, and novels. This approach is particularly effective in detecting subtle linguistic changes over time, which is taken as indication of broader shifts insocietal attitudes and cultural practices.
This will be the first project ever to systematically compute representations of collective singing, as it will be the first ever to conduct a study based on digital cultural heritage data aggregated from across the Scandinavian and Baltic regions.
Impact: By elucidating the ways in which collective singing is represented and discussed in the public sphere, WP1 aims to reveal the underlying currents of social cohesion and division. Understanding the evolution of key song terms in public discourse offers key insights into how collective singing acts as a mirror to societal values, challenges, and transformations. This comprehensive analysis will contribute significantly to our understanding of the cultural heritage of collective singing, highlighting its enduring relevance and multifaceted impact on the public sphere. A public online portal for accessing the semantic profile database will enhance public understanding and engagement with collective singing traditions.
This WP is led by PL Katrine Frøkjær Baunvig.
