Abstract

SENEKAL, Burgert. A network science overview and exploration of networks concerning the ontlaering project. Tydskr. geesteswet. [online]. 2024, vol.64, n.4, pp.740-759. ISSN 2224-7912.  https://doi.org/10.17159/2224-7912/2024/v64n4a12.

The Ontlaering Project was launched in 2018 in an attempt to facilitate discussions regarding the expansion of Afrikaans contexts. Three colloquiums, held in 2018, 2020 and 2021 respectively, resulting in two special journal editions (in Stilet and Tydskrif vir Letterkunde) followed, as well as polemic discussions on LitNet. The current article provides an overview and exploration of networks concerning the Ontlaering Project. The study employs network science methodology to analyse various networks related to the project, including the colloquium network (comprised ofstakeholders and the colloquiums they were involved in), the co-authorship network (consisting of individuals contributing to the two special journal editions), the citation network (comprising authors and the sources they refer to), and the word co-occurrence network (consisting of words that are frequently grouped together in article summaries in the two special journal editions). Network measures used include density, connected components, modularity, k-cores, and eccentricity, as well as network visualisations. The study reveals that the colloquium network exhibited diversity in affiliations, with a very low density indicating a heterogeneous collaboration network. Key figures such as Mathilda Smit, Bibi Burger, Janien Linde and Earl Basson were identified as central nodes in this network that facilitated the collaboration of role players. The co-authorship network showed minimal meaningful network formation, with most publications being single-authored, but it also showed that while the largest segment of contributors were affiliated with former Afrikaans universities, a significant number of researchers affiliated with other universities and institutions beyond formal universities also contributed. In the citation network, a large, connected component with extremely low density indicated a wide variety of sources being utilised, with a few key sources connecting multiple publications. Walter Benjamin, Fritz Ponelis, Hein Willemse, André P Brink, Louise Viljoen, Willem Anker, Michael Chapman, Willie Burger, Edward Said and Ato Quayson were identified as central sources. The cooccurrence network of words highlighted themes related to South African literature, postcolonial studies, identity, and historical narratives. Key themes included Afrikaans language, apartheid, South African history and the intersection of literature with social, political, and cultural issues. In summary, it is demonstrated that all these networks are highly heterogeneous, and key nodes - key participants in colloquiums, key sources, and key themes - are highlighted. In conclusion, it is found that the diversity of networks and the nature of key nodes reflect the objectives of the Ontlaering Project.

Keywords : Afrikaans; citation network; colloquiums; co-authorship; diversity; key nodes; network science; Ontlaeringprojek; South African literature; co-occurrence of words.

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