Database issues

[Abe-Nornes]

Someone volunteering sent me this directly. Since it raises issues we need
to think about, I am posting this to the list. Any feedback?
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HI Markus, sign me up for 25 to start with.  I don't know how to judge how
long they take & I'm pretty swamped with my crap jobs, but I'd like to
help, can maybe do more later.

What would e really helpful in terms of process, I think, is a pretty
comprehensive style sheet for entries in non-English entries (I'm thinking
of the Japanese mostly).  Meaning, a kind of example for transliteration,
romanization, conventions of biblio in English. I've run into a lot of
trouble with this kind of standardization nitty-grittiness on translation
jobs I've done that involve biblio.  

People typically refer you to the Chicago MoS, which doesn't go much beyond
policy statements on "flora " & "fauns" if you know what I mean.  How do
you biblio a taidan, for example, or the various kinds of editing that crop
up, or an exhibition, or a Q&A session (some of these do exist, I
daresay...).  I've asked some people here in art historical fields which
commonly use a lot of Japanese biblio in their Eng-lang publications, but
they & I have both turned up nothing consistent.  Examples would be lovely.
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Our database is capable of inputting Japanese characters, but there has
been some previous discussion about the need for romaji. It might be
helpful for those without Japanese capabilities, but then anyone who wants
these articles presumably reads Japanese. 

A style sheet is a great idea. And I think after producing one just for the
mop-up process, we should put it online to guide future submissions. 

We are going to have to live with the style we decide right now; does
anyone dislike the way entries are formatted as is? 

amn