Experts Needed to Decipher 1943 Diary in Ostend
The Raversyde Provincial Domain in Ostend is seeking assistance to decode a diary from 1943, written in Groote’s shorthand, which may offer crucial insights into daily life during the German occupation, reports 24brussels.
Jurgen Valerberghe, a Provincial Executive Member, emphasized the diary’s potential to illuminate how residents managed their lives amidst the war. However, museum staff have only been able to decipher a few words, as the shorthand presents significant challenges.
“This diary may reveal how people lived, worked, and coped with the war,”
Researcher Sarah Dalle from Atlantikwall Raversyde noted that the diary employs a shorthand system believed to have been created by Dutch General Arnold Willem Groote. This system uses a phonetic approach where letters and words are abbreviated into a continuous flow, complicating reading efforts today.
The diary includes a translation key outlining some shorthand symbols, with numerous entries touching on political terminology, such as “mayor” and “city council member.” Dalle stated,
“For someone who isn’t a shorthand reader, it’s incredibly difficult and time-consuming to decipher the text.”
Valerberghe reiterated the extensive effort required to comprehend the document without specialized knowledge, calling for historians, experts, and volunteers to aid in the task. The provincial government has also considered employing artificial intelligence to assist in translation; however, it remains a complex challenge.
“We would first need to develop and train a special AI model, which could take even longer than manual decoding,” Vanlerberghe explained.
The Raversyde Provincial Domain, established as an open-air museum in 1984, serves to preserve World War history, showcasing artifacts from both World Wars. The diary was acquired years ago and is part of the museum’s ongoing efforts to analyze such documents to better understand life in occupied Belgium.