Operationalization and Interpretation Dependence in Computational Literary Studies

This contribution discusses the relation between the (computational) operationalization of literary studies concepts and the property of interpretation dependence, which applies to many relevant literary studies research questions and poses specific challenges to operationalization. Using the attempt to operationalize the narratological concept of unreliable narration as an illustrative example, the paper addresses three crucial subtasks for operationalizing a concept (definition, identification of steps necessary to decide if it applies and the actual application) and explicates if and why interpretation dependence complicates them. The paper concludes with general recommendations for operationalizing complex concepts coupled with a high degree of interpretation dependence.