Some Chances and Challenges in Applying Language Technologies to Historical Studies in Chinese

TL;DR

This paper explores applying language technology to analyze Chinese historical documents, addressing specific historical issues and discussing challenges and future directions for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Contribution

It demonstrates the application of language processing techniques to Chinese historical studies and highlights the need for advanced tools and data collection to support complex research questions.

Findings

Language technology can analyze historical Chinese texts effectively.

Challenges include processing complexity and data limitations.

Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances historical research.

Abstract

We report applications of language technology to analyzing historical documents in the Database for the Study of Modern Chinese Thoughts and Literature (DSMCTL). We studied two historical issues with the reported techniques: the conceptualization of "huaren" (Chinese people) and the attempt to institute constitutional monarchy in the late Qing dynasty. We also discuss research challenges for supporting sophisticated issues using our experience with DSMCTL, the Database of Government Officials of the Republic of China, and the Dream of the Red Chamber. Advanced techniques and tools for lexical, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic processing of language information, along with more thorough data collection, are needed to strengthen the collaboration between historians and computer scientists.