Methodological Transition and the use of Computers with Classical Literature

Ki-Sung Kwon 

Part-time Lecturer, Kyunghee University

 This study examines changes in the methodology of classical literature in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Artificial Intelligence. To this end, we focused on case studies of Chinese prose, such as handwriting and yadam (a single-sentence narrative). In this study, I argue the necessity for constructing a DB system that can search for handwritten yadam. Many handwritten and jamming materials are not yet translated or are located outside the researcher's area of interest, and there is a need to introduce a computer-based research methodology for the efficiency of research because of mixed genres. Next, I discuss the possibility of studying Chinese texts using computer content analysis techniques. We argue that the introduction of this methodology is necessary to overcome the limitations of theseries established by researcher intuition and to examine differences in the quantitative results. Artificial intelligence has advanced to the automatic translation of classical literature, but it still contains incomplete elements that cannot be solved without human beings. Human planning primarily supplements this incompleteness. The search for methodological change is not merely a temporary measure relying on machines according to trends but, instead, to the consciousness of human problems for the derivation and diffusion of efficient and accurate research results. Through this, I believe that the study of Chinese writing and the study of classical literature will be further developed qualitatively and quantitatively, and will grow to meet social demand.

Key words：Ya-dam book, Index, Database, A study on the motifs Transmission and variation, Stemma of different versions, Digital humanities