Curating Patterns with Visualisations

To interpret the patterns emerging from our metric calculations, we’re deploying visualisations that make these complex relationships easier to grasp. Using tools like network graphs and heatmaps, we can identify clusters of words that form cohesive themes. These visualisations allow us to observe how concepts interrelate, helping us to curate distinct patterns within the constellations.

In this context, we’re using a Sankey diagram to illustrate the traffic  (i.e., the frequency or prominence of certain lemmas within the constellation), complexity, and interconnectedness of various lemmas within concept constellations. Specifically, we’re applying it to the ‘church’ constellation, where we previously discussed the high degree of lemma variability.

The Sankey diagram allows us to visualise the flow and complexity within the ‘church’ constellation:

• The constellation is composed of lots of different lemmas, with a particularly high traffic around specific lemmas.
• Key lemmas with heavier traffic include:
  • ‘bishop,’ ‘presbyter,’ and ‘apostle’ – suggesting a focus on hierarchical or ecclesiastical roles.
  • ‘faith,’ ‘heaven,’ and ‘believe’ – indicating central religious themes within the constellation.

This visualisation underscores the diversity within the ‘church’ constellation while highlighting focal points in religious discourse.

Thematic Clustering of Constellation Lemmas

To deepen our understanding of thematic structures, we’re clustering lemmas within constellations by theme. This thematic clustering allows us to examine the composition and distribution of lemmas, shedding light on the thematic constructs of different concepts.

We applied this approach to three constellations, ‘church’, ‘heaven’, and ‘earth’, to examine the thematic composition of each. Using a tree diagram, we’ve visualised the distribution of lemmas clustered by thematic categories across these constellations. This helps us evaluate the thematic makeup of each constellation and observe how certain themes were interconnected within Early Modern English religious discourse.

• The constellations for ‘church’, ‘heaven’, and ‘earth’ all relate to religious discourse yet represent different dimensions of it.
• Themes such as ‘Roles and Hierarchy,’ ‘Nature,’ ‘Supernature,’ and ‘Body Parts‘ emerge as pivotal across these constellations.
• For instance, ‘Roles and Hierarchy‘ is a recurring theme in all three constellations, with a particularly prominent role within the church constellation.

These visualisations and thematic clusters allow us to explore and interpret nuances within historical language that may otherwise remain hidden. As our analysis continues, we’re excited to see how these patterns evolve and what they reveal about Early Modern English concepts and their complex interrelations.