Abstract:

Literary Computing aims to explore the utilization of large-scale textual data and computer technology for interpreting literary works. It represents a crucial subfield within the realm of digital humanities. However, high-quality research in this field remains relatively scarce within the current Chinese literary community. This article presents an interview with Dr. Liu Yang, an associate professor in the Chinese Department at Chongqing University and a leading scholar in this domain. The discussion covers algorithm criticism, quantification of literary concepts, the integration of technology with traditional literary research, digital tools in literary creation, ideal models for digital humanities education, and the future forms of literature. Dr. Liu Yang argues that while the interpretation of literary works may be subjective, there are underlying objective patterns present. Any literary concept can be quantified; what is needed is a more nuanced approach. It is essential to strive towards integrating techniques from other fields with traditional literary criticism and literary theory. The greatest barrier in this endeavor lies not in the mastery of technology but in the significant gap between the arts and sciences, as well as the limitations of researchers' perspectives. In the future, the integration of literary computing and traditional methods will gradually occur, and interdisciplinary studies such as digital humanities will transition from a relatively marginal and non-mainstream status to becoming mainstream.

Key words: digital humanities , literary studies , literary computing , quantification , digital humanities education , interdisciplinarity