Peirce interprets Peirce: A computational exploration of his original manuscripts

• Applicants: Dr. Alessandro Adamou; Professorin Dr. Irene Mittelberg
• Subject Area: History of Science ; General and Comparative Linguistics, Experimental Linguistics, Typology, Non-European Languages
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 550260135

This research proposal outlines a comprehensive plan to advance the understanding and application of Charles S. Peirce's semiotics within the context of digital humanities, particularly in the domain of semantic publishing, semiotic analysis, and the history of sciences. The project aims to digitally transcribe and analyze Peirce’s extensive writings, apply cutting-edge text analytics and knowledge engineering techniques, and develop a public-facing catalog for structured knowledge dissemination. It seeks to integrate advanced computational methods, including Large Language Models, semantic technologies, and innovative visualization techniques, to systematically explore Peirce’s theoretical landscape and facilitate access to his works. Research Objectives and their Implementation: 1. **Digitization and Text Processing:** The project will digitize and transcribe Peirce’s handwritten notes using advanced OCR and HTR technologies. This involves creating multimodal text corpora in standard digital formats for scholarly use. 2. **Textual Analysis and Knowledge Extraction:** Employing advanced computational techniques, the project will analyze the digitized texts to extract knowledge, identify thematic trends, and understand Peirce's intellectual universe and development. Peirce’s universal categories and diagrammatic iconicity will play a central role. 3. **Knowledge Organization and Visualization:** The research will structure the extracted knowledge using ontologies and linked data principles, making it accessible through a public catalog. It will also develop domain-specific visualization paradigms to enhance our understanding of Peirce’s and thus bring both traditional and new, combined methods of interdisciplinary research to the next level. 4. **Integration and Outreach:** The project emphasizes the integration of theoretical and empirical research, facilitated by a collaborative approach among scholars, developers, and researchers. Dissemination through workshops, social media, and academic publications will ensure the project's findings reach a wide audience. Overall, the project proposes a novel integration of computational and semiotic methodologies to enhance the accessibility and interpretability of Charles S. Peirce’s works. It is designed to significantly and lastingly advance the digital humanities and, in general, to impact related discourses and practices in science, education, and beyond.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Netherlands, Switzerland, USA
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Davide Picca; Dr. Dario Rodighiero; Professor Dr. Jeffrey Schnapp