2026-10-01T21:09:59Z https://dcpapers.dublincore.org/oai

oai:dcpapers.dublincore.org:952621517 2026-09-10 dcmi-2026 openaire

Multilingual Metadata: Aligning Digital Heritage Systems with Cultural Values Dresel, Robin Low, Pamela Metadata systems traditionally prioritise technical efficiency over cultural authenticity. This paper examines how Singapore's National Library Board redesigned metadata practices for two major cultural heritage digital projects—the Encyclopedia of Singapore Tamils (EST) and Prominent Malays of Singapore (PMoS)—to align digital systems with community values. Breaking from locally established conventions, we implemented largely monolingual metadata records, creating separate collection identifiers, language-specific navigation paths, and culturally-aware controlled vocabularies. This approach required overcoming technical constraints in content management systems designed for English-language dominant workflows. Our methodology involved close collaboration with over 500 community contributors. Key innovations include collection name separation, multilingual controlled vocabulary integration, and community-driven category translation that reflects cultural mental models rather than literal translations. Implementation demonstrates that separate monolingual metadata records can preserve cultural authenticity while maintaining system functionality. These approaches create valuable training data for AI systems working with multilingual cultural heritage, offering a replicable model for institutions seeking to align digital systems with diverse community needs rather than technical convenience. Dublin Core Metadata Initiative 2026-09-10 info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceObject Text application/pdf text/html https://doi.org/10.23106/dcmi.952621517 https://dcpapers.dublincore.org/article/952621517 Dublin Core Metadata Initiative Conference Proceedings eng info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/