Final 1.0 release of the Collens Tool

Collens: A Tool to Analyze and Visualize Textual Variation

Literary works are dynamic entities, evolving through various stages before and after publication. We can see the physical traces of a work's development in the shape of deletions, additions, and substitutions on the archival documents. And by comparing different versions, from initial notes and draft manuscripts to typescripts and published editions, we can track how a literary work changes over time. Today, these documents are diligently transcribed, annotated, and encoded into XML/TEI, a machine-readable format that enables a deeper analysis by textual scholars.

Collens combines machine learning technologies and text comparison software to study these texts on several levels of analysis. The platform combines a detailed visualization of the XML/TEI transcription of each text version, including multiple layers of revision, with a text comparison using the software CollateX. This approach allows scholars to delve into the evolution of a literary work with precision and detail.

By using the Collens comparison and visualization tool, researchers can gain valuable insights into the creative process behind literary works, making both subtle and significant changes visible and understandable. Explore the development trajectories of your favorite literary pieces and gain a deeper understanding of the art of writing and revision.