Illustrated glossary of paper conservation: damages and treatments

Book excerpt: The preparation of specialized glossaries and dictionaries is a fundamental stage in the consolidation of an area of knowledge, since associated with the terms are concepts, which necessarily requires thinking about, assessing, and at times reconsidering the vocabulary used by professionals in a specialized area. The production of a multilingual glossary, in seeking equivalent terms in different languages, is a great challenge, but gains a special dimension by showing the approximations and/or the conceptual variations which exist in different countries. We understand that the precise designation of the physicochemical phenomenon associated with damage is essential for technical and scientific communication. Similarly, the presentation of the most common treatments used by paper conservators, with clear and objective definitions, facilitates communication among professionals. The Illustrated Glossary of Paper Conservation: damages and treatments – English, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek presents equivalences in four languages of terms and definitions related to bidimensional objects on paper, in other words, works of art, manuscripts, and engravings.