Dromio: Folger Transcription Platform

Dromio, named for the comedic twins in "Comedy of Errors," is a transcription interface designed by the Folger Shakespeare Library to allow the transcription and comparison of transcriptions of early modern manuscripts. It was first developed through the Early Modern Manuscripts Online (EMMO) project. This page includes information on how to transcribe and encode using Dromio.

Getting Started

1. Launch your Internet browser (preferably Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome). Make sure your browser is up-to-date. Turn off auto-correct and spell-check in your browser settings.

2. Type the following URL in the browser window (or click on this link): http://transcribe.folger.edu/. Type your first and last name in the dialog box where it says “Enter your full name” and press the Submit button.

The welcome page at http://transcribe.folger.edu/.

3. Select a transcription project or workshop/event from the list (Note: this list often changes).

Select a transcription project.

4. Dromio will display a list of subfolders or documents available for transcription (this list is subject to change and is not exhaustive; let us know if you would like a Folger manuscript added or placed in a separate folder for teaching):

Select a subfolder or document.

5. After selecting a subfolder, Dromio will display a list of documents or openings available for transcription within the subfolder. In the left column, you will see the Folger call number and title. In the middle column are page numbers for each digital image of a manuscript page or opening. The right column records the transcription status of each page, indicating how many individual transcriptions have been started and saved, and how many have been completed (marked Done by individual transcribers).

A list of individual documents or openings available for transcription.

6. Click on the page or folio number that you wish to transcribe. The digital image of the page or page(s) will appear.

The Zoom (+ and -), Rotate (⤾ and ⤿), Home (returns to original size) and Full Screen (image only view) tools are in the upper left corner. Each click of the Rotate arrows rotates the image 90 degrees.
The transcription window can be moved around by dragging the dark green top of the window with your cursor.
You can enlarge the transcription window by clicking and dragging the bottom or sides of the window with the cursor.
To start transcribing, type directly into the transcription window. Remember to click Save frequently to save your work. It will turn from red to black when you save.

This is what a transcription window with XML tagging buttons looks like.

How to Use XML Tags

This section discusses how to use the XML tags in Dromio to encode your transcription.

XML (extensible markup language) is a tagging language used to describe text in a digital environment. The XML tags allow transcribers to record information on how text appears upon the manuscript page (i.e. the head tag <head> indicates a heading or title). Tags may also convey information about words in the text (i.e. the <name> tag denotes a proper name). The XML tag set for EMMO is based upon the TEI (Text Encoding Initiative) tag set which is used to encode printed and handwritten texts for a digital environment. With the exception of the line break tag (lb/), all XML tags come in pairs, with an opening and close tag surrounding text (i.e <place>London</place>.)

Dromio makes encoding easier through a menu of buttons for commonly-used tags at the top of the transcription window. These buttons are “shortcuts” which insert XML tags around words without your having to type these tags manually. The tag names on these buttons have been abbreviated to save space (for instance, the <name> tag appears as “nm”).

Step-by-Step: Encode in Dromio

Select the letter(s) or word with your cursor that you wish to encode.
Click on an encoding button (referred to as a "tag button" throughout this document) from the menu to apply the XML tag to the selected text.
The style of the text (its appearance) changes in the HTML window as you encode it by adding tags.
If you want to remove the tag, re-select the encoded text and re-click the tag.
You can switch between HTML and XML views by toggling the <xml>/<html> button.
Tags act like bookends, enclosing the text that they affect. If one of these "bookends" is missing, the tag won't function properly. An open tag (<example>) must always be "closed" at the other end by a closing tag, which is the same text as the opening tag but preceded by a forward slash (</example>). If you are “stuck” in a tag, sometimes it is useful to go to the XML view and move the closing tag manually to where it belongs.
Common early modern brevigraphs (ways of abbreviating text) have their own buttons (ye=the, yt=that, yr=your, ym=them, wth=with, and wch=which). Simply click on the button to insert the pre-filled abbreviated word, including XML tags, into the transcription. You do not need to type the word first.
You can apply more than one XML tag to a section of text. This is called “nesting.”
Click the Save button frequently to save your work. Select Done when you have completed transcribing and encoding the page. Don’t worry if you accidently hit Done or want to make a correction after you hit Done. You can still make changes and resave.

To learn more about XML and take a tutorial if you wish, try www.w3schools.com.

Glossary of XML buttons

Arranged by function, with examples in parentheses.

Remember, when selecting most tag buttons in Dromio:

first transcribe the expanded form of the word
select the letter(s) to be tagged with your cursor
then click on the tag button to apply it

Text of the Manuscript as viewed

ex = for expanded (i.e., supplied) text:

command

spl = supplied text to correct scribe’s mistake; use sparingly:

“hitt" for erroneous writing of “itt” as “htt” or “muche” when transcriber supplies missing letters from contextual clues

~~del~~ = for cancelled (i.e., crossed out) text:

this is an example of a ~~deleted~~ word.

ins = for intralineal insertion text

this is an example of ^intralineal text

gap = for a gap in transcription, illegible letters replaced by periods

this is an example of a ... gap.

unc = for uncertain text (transcriber enters best guess)

this is an example of a word with an unclear letter.

mrk = for notational mark (e.g. manicule, etc.), include one-word description of mark.

this is an example of a manicule in a sentence.

Also used for periods/colons used in abbreviations.

img = for image/illustration (e.g. drawing), include one-word description of image

This is an example of a drawing.

Navigation/Tracking

? = help screen
<xml> = shows text with xml tags
Save = saves changes
Done = indicates transcription/encoding completed

Layout/Non-textual Elements

pb = for two or more pages in one image (page break) ( ) tag only [doesn’t show except in XML view] to indicate beginning of second opening, or (35) surrounding contemporary foliation or pagination or (4r) for foliation or pagination added by librarian or other steward.
cw = catchword (word repeated on bottom of page/top of next page)

When

hd = for obvious headings

Cooking with Clarified Butter

lbl = for labels or in the margins or other forms of marginalia

For a toothe-ache

qt = quote (for discernible hand-shift indicating quotation)
ps = for postscript text in letters

Do not forgetteth to write

opn = for text of opening in letters

To my most lovinge husband

cls = for text of closing in letters

Your most dejected servant,

add = for added text by booksellers, librarians, collectors, etc. (only for additions made clearly later)

V.a.110

note = for note at the end of the text file

Try not to use this field unless you are leaving note for vetter—we don’t currently have a way to make this information visible in a useful way.

Content

nm = for proper names (non-fictional)

William Shakespeare

pl = for identified places

Stratford-on-Avon

amt = for specific monetary amounts (include numeral and currency symbol)

iii^s v^d

Semi-Diplomatic Transcription

You will be making a “semi-diplomatic” transcription, meaning you will maintain original spellings (even if they are incorrect by modern standards) and will record any deletions or additions.

^ = for superscript text not to be lowered.

Use this for superscript currencies and ordinal numbers [iiii^th] but nothing else

\^/ = for superscript text to be lowered

Saint; October

~ = macron (¯) or tilde (~), for tilded letters such as “n” or “conm̄”

running for ruñing

y/th = for thorn letter (looks like “y”), transcribed as “th”

ye = the

<es> = for “es” graph

chyldes

<er> = for “er” graph (transcribed as “er,” or ar/or/re)

peter

= for special “p” graph (following two letters should be expanded text, “pre,” “pro,” “par,” or “per”)

partie

ye=transcribed as “the”

the

yt=transcribed as “that”

that

ym=transcribed as “them”

them

yr=transcribed as “your”

your

wth=transcribed as “with”

with

wch=transcribed as “which”

which

Examples

Frequently seen writing conventions in secretary hand (as well as other marks commonly appearing on early modern manuscripts), how they are transcribed, and how they are rendered in XML using tag buttons in Dromio. The Dromio transcription window automatically shows the transcription tags in HTML, so to see the actual XML code, you may toggle the xml button.

Note that the name of the tag button in the dromio transcription window is not always the same text of the tag in XML (for example, the tag button for tagging a drawing is "img," but the actual XML tag used is <graphic></graphic>).

Expansion

Transcription: Portsmouth
In XML: Portsm<sl>o</sl><ex>uth</ex>
Tag button used: ex

Expanded, i.e. supplied, text. Note: in this example, the superscript "o" is also silently lowered with the \^/ tag button. The "expansion" tag makes the tagged selection appear italicized.

Deletion and Insertion

Transcription: ~~not~~^^hard
In XML: <del>not</del>^<ins>hard</ins>
Tag buttons used: ~~del~~ (delete) and ins (insert)

Intralineal inscription and deletion; add caret only if present in ms. "Delete" tag draws a line through the tagged selection, and the "insert" tag superscripts the tagged selection.

Gap

Transcription: Invidi repair to hole in paper lebrane queam
In XML: Invidi <gap>repair to hole in paper</gap> lebrane queam
Tag button used: gap

For a gap in transcription, estimated number of illegible letters replaced by periods. Highlights selection in red.

Unclear

Transcription: or draw what you please, then with
In XML: or draw what you please, th<unclear>en</unclear>w<ex>i</ex><sl>th</sl>
Tag button used: unc

For uncertain text (transcriber enters best guess within tag). Highlights tagged selection in yellow. Note: in this example, "with" has the "i" expanded using the ex tag button, and the "th" silently lowered using the \^/ tag button.

Mark

Transcription: Aristoteles manicule
In XML: <label>Aristotles</label><metamark>manicule</metamark>
Tag button used: mrk

For notational mark (e.g. manicule, etc.), include one-word description of mark, i.e. in place of the symbol, write and tag the word "manuicule." Also used for brevigraph markers such as a period (.) or colon (:) when they disappear as part of the word’s expansion. This button highlights tagged selection in gray. Note that in this example the word "Aristotles" is tagged as a label using the lbl tag button.

Drawing

Transcription:
nascono molte herbe onde paieno
giardini.
Drawing showing a house in Cyprus
Forma delle case di Cipro
Modo di tibiar
In XML:
<lb/>nascono molte herbe onde paieno
<lb/>giardini.
<lb/><graphic>Drawing showing a house in Cyprus</graphic>
<lb/><label>Forma delle case di Cipro</label>
<lb/><label>Modo di tibiar</label>
Tag button used: img

For image/illustration (e.g. drawing), include short description of image and tag the description. Highlights tagged text in light/bright blue. Note that in this example, you can see the "line break" tag (<lb/>) that is automatically inserted at the beginning of each line every time you hit the "return" key for a new line. Note also that the transcriber has tagged the text appearing next to the image using the label tag button, lbl.

Catchword

Transcription:
The spiritte which your sack hath lent./
An Epitaph
In XML:
<lb/>The spiritte which your sack hath lent./
<lb/><catchword>An Epitaph</catchword>
Tag button used: cw

Used for a word appearing at bottom that also appears on the top of the next page. Turns tagged text gold.

Page break

Transcription:
The spiritte which your sack hath lent./
An Epitaph
61
An Epitaphe
In XML:
<lb/>The spiritte which y<ex>ou</ex><sl>r</sl> sack hath lent./
<lb/><catchword>An Epitaph</catchword>
<lb/><pb>61 </pb>
<lb/><heading>An Epitaphe </heading>
Tag button used: pb

For two or more pages in one image. Note that the tag encloses the number of the new page. Highlights text in dark gray.

Note that in this example you also see the "line break" tag automatically inserted whenever you hit the return key for a new line. You also see the first "An Epitaph" tagged with the cw tag button, and the second "An Epitaphe" tagged with the hd tag button. Finally, you also see an example of the word "your," with "ou" expanded using the ex tag button and the "r" silently lowered using the \^/ tag button.

Heading

Transcription: Panegyricks
In XML: <heading>Panegyricks</heading>
Tag button used: hd

“Heading” tag used for page or section heading. Underlines the tagged text.

Label

Transcription:
A viewe of the pre=
sent estate of
Ireland discour=
sed by way of a
dialogue between
Eudoxus and
Irenis.)
In XML:
<lb/><label>A viewe of <brev-y>th</brev-y><sl>e</sl> pre=
<lb/>sent estate of <place>Ireland</place> discour=
<lb/>sed by way of a
<lb/>dialogue between
<lb/><name>Eudoxus</name> and
<lb/><name>Irenis</name>.)</label>
Tag button used: lbl

Used for a “label” or note in the margin of the page. Tag button puts tagged selection in bold.

Note that in this example, other tags used include: a y-brevigraph changed to "th" with the "e" silently lowered using the ye shortcut button; a place name tagged using the pl tag button, and two names tagged using the nm tag button.

Postscript

Transcription:
Postscript:
I haue sent you here inclosed a note
how all our mony is layed forth and
I pray you send vs vp some more as soone
as you can for I haue neede of ~~soute~~
a new sute of Apparill.
In XML:
<lb/><ps>Postscript:

<lb/>I haue sent you here inclosed a note
<lb/>how all our mony is layed forth and
<lb/>I pray you send vs vp some more as soone
<lb/>as you can for I haue neede of <del>soute</del>
<lb/>a new sute of Apparill.</ps>
Tag button used: ps

Used to indicate a postscript found at the end of a letter. Tag button turns tagged selection light gray or white.

Note: other tags used in this example include the use of the ~~del~~ tag button to indicate that the word "soute" in the second to last line has been deleted. The "line break" (<lb/>) tag appears at the beginning of each new line, and is automatically inserted when a transcriber hits the "return" button.

Opening

Transcription: Deare father,
In XML: <opn>Deare father</opn>,
Tag button used: opn

Stands for opening of a letter. Both greeting and name are included in tag. Tag button turns tagged selection white with a gray background.

Closing

Transcription:
Your diligent and most
obedient sonne Walter Bagott In XML:
<lb/><cls>Y<ex>ou</ex><sl>r</sl> diligent and most
<lb/>obedient sonne
<lb/><name>Walter Bagott</name></cls>
Tag button used: cls

Close tag, indicating close of a letter. Tagged selection should include both the salutation and name, though the name should also be tagged using the nm tag button, as it is in this example. The cls tag button will highlight the tagged selection gray and turn any text white.

Note: other tags used in this example include the use of the ex tag button to expand the "ou" in the word "Your." The letter "r" in "Your" is also silently lowered using the \^/ tag button.

Added text

Transcription: L.a.176
In XML: <add>L.a.176</add> Tag used: add

This tag is used to indicate text added to a manuscript by a later hand (such as a page or call number added by cataloguer). Tag button will turn any characters in the tagged selection red.

Note

Appearance in dromio: This manuscript was transcribed by William Shakespeare.
In XML: <note>This manuscript was transcribed by William Shakespeare.</note>
Tag button used: note

Textual note added by transcriber, usually at end of document. As mentioned above, please use this tag sparingly, as we currently have no way of making information entered using the notes tag visible in a useful way (April 2020).

Personal Name

Transcription: William Bagott
In XML: <name>William Bagott</name>
Tag button used: nm

Proper names of individuals. Tag button turns background of tagged selection blue with white characters.

Place Name

Transcription: of France,
In XML: of <place>France</place>,
Tag button used: pl

Used for place names. Tag button turns background of tagged selection blue with white characters.

Monetary Amounts

Transcription: xij.^s x^d [12 shillings, 10 pence]
In XML: <amt>xij.s xd</amt>
Tag button used: amt

Used for a monetary amount/measurement. Tag button turns background of tagged selection dark green.

Note: abbreviations for coinage, such as “s” (for shilling) and “d” (an abbreviation of the roman word "denarius," used to indicate "pence" in Britain until 1971) should be indicated using the superscript tag button: ^. The <amt></amt> tags should enclose both the number and monetary symbol with its superscript tags, so that they are "nested" inside the "amt" tags.

Superscript

Transcription: death which was 7^o No:vember 1622.
In XML: death w<ex>hi</ex><sl>ch</sl>was 7o No<metamark>:</metamark><ex>vember</ex> 1622.
Tag button used: ^

Used only for letters or characters written in superscript such as l, s, d, for money, and Latin ordinal number symbol “o.”

Note other tags used in this example: a shortcut to expand w^ch into "which," where the "hi" are tagged using the ex tag button and the "ch" is silently lowered using the \^/ button; and the use of the mrk tag button to indicate the colon that disappears when "November" is expanded, as well as the use of the ex tag button once again to add "vember."

Superscript Lowered

Transcription: then:
In XML: <brev-y>th</brev-y><sl>en</sl><metamark>:</metamark>
Tag button used: \^/

Used for text written in superscript that is “silently lowered” during transcription. The tag button turns the color of the text tagged in the selection dark brown. In this example, this common spelling of the word "then," y^en, has been changed to expand "y" (thorn) to "th" using a brevigraph shortcut tag button, y/th, and to silently lower the "en" using the superscript-lowering tag button.

Note that the metamark tag button mrk has been used on the colon at end of expanded word in this example.

Macron expansion

Transcription: Commendaciones
In XML: C<macron>om<ex>m</ex>e<ex>n</ex>d</macron>aciones
Tag button used: ~

Used to indicate a vertile line or tilde over a single character, usually an "m" or "n," which signifies doubling of that character. The tag button turns the text in the tagged selection green. In this example, the macron has been expanded to show both "m"s using the ex tag button on the second m, and the "macron" tag button is put around both characters. The "macron" tag should enclose all characters over which the line extends in the original manuscript, which in this example includes the middle four written characters.

Note: in this example, the "n" has also been expanded using the ex tag button.

Thorn

Transcription: this:
In XML: <brev-y>th</brev-y><sl>is</sl><metamark>:</metamark>
Tag button used: y/th

The character "y," known as a "thorn," is transcribed as “th." The y/th tag makes this exchange/expansion. The tag button turns the text in the tagged selection green and italicizes it. In this example, “is” as a superscript is lowered using the superscript-lowering tag button \^/.

Note: if present, a colon or period is placed in the metamark tag using the mrk tag button.

-es graph

Transcription: recusantes
In XML: recusant<brev-es>es</brev-es>
Tag button used: <es>

used to expand the "-es" abbreviation at the ends of words. The tag button applies italicization and turns the tagged selection green.

Note: the "-es" graph is a downward stroke at the ends of words, as opposed to the upward stroke commonly used for a "sigma" s. For more information and examples, please see the Media:Alphabet_Abbreviations.pdf.

-er graph

Transcription: neuerthelesse
In XML: neu<brev-er>er</brev-er>thelesse
Tag button used: <er>

Used to expand and silently lower the "er" abbreviations. Can also potentially be transcribed as -ar, -or, or -re, depending on context. Tag button adds italicization and turns tagged selection green.