DIALECTICS OF UDC (8) (Continued from p 38) SECTIO:\" 6, PARA K. A. ISAAC

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1 f ;! DIALECTICS OF UDC (8) (Continued from p 38) SECTIO:\" 6, PARA K. A. ISAAC [ Defines" analytico-synthetic" and "enumerative" schemes of classification. Omits tautological sentences. Splits up each of the other sentences to secure unity. Divides the para into two.] o The Text "The introduction of the signs of association thus renders the Universal Decimal Classification a "synthetic" as distinct from a purely "analytic" classification in which each symbol is a natural ~ubdivision of some other and only one order is possible. This "synthetic" element in the classification is an essential recognition of practical differential standpoints, without which any classification must be too rigid. At the same time, the synthetic nature of the composition of detailed class numbers renders these latter much more readily comprehended and used. The signs of association break up the compound numbers into simple elements, each of which is easily recognised and remembered. Finally, the comprehensiveness of the classification is enormously enhanced at the extra cost of a relative insignificant addition of a series of auxiliary subdivision classes, anyone of which is applicable throughout the series of main classes." 1 Sentence 1 This sentence has no unity in the verbal plane. Nor has it unity in the idea plane. Also it is an elliptical sentence. It may therefore.be replaced by the six sentences given below. Sentences I, 2 and ~ fill up the ellipsis. Sentence 3 defines "synthetic" scheme of classification. The definition is not explicitly contained in this sentence. It is derived by the clue provided by the word "thus".and the next sentence.... AN.NALS.

2 DIALECTICS OF unc (8) I A scheme of classification can be "synthetic". 2 A scheme of classification can also be analytic. 3 In a synthetic scheme of classification the sequence of substantives and connectives in a class number is reversible. 4 (In an analytic scheme of classification) each symbol is a natural subdivision of some other. 5 (Also only one order is possible). 6 The introduction of the signs of association renders the Universal Decimal Classification a "synthetic" as distinct from a purely "analytic" classification. 11 THE NEW SENTENCE I The word "synthetic".needs careful examination. The "Shorter Oxford Dictionary" defines it thus: "of, pertaining to, consisting in or involving synthesis, or combination of parts into a whole". The definition according to the new sentence 3 is different from the dictionary definition. It is only a corollary of the synthetic quality of a scheme of classification. It is a freedom that the classificationist is enabled to prescribe because of the synthetic; quality of the scheme. Again, according to the dictionary definition the presence of "parts" is necessary before "synthesis". But a scheme of classification like UDC is concerned with providing the "parts" snd the facilities for their "synthesis". In Ranganathan's terminology, it provides for phased and faceted notation. In other words the process of both analysis and synthesis is involved in the scheme. He has aptly called such a scheme of classification "analyticosynthetic" Hence "synthetic" may be replaced by "analyticosynthetic". This sentence may hence be amended to. "A scheme of classification can be analytico-synthetic". 12 THE NEW SENTENCE 2 The term "analytic scheme of classification" as distinct from "synthetic scheme of classification" stands for a scheme without any provision for "synthesis". In Ranganathan's term "analytico-

3 K. A. ISAAC V 1. N 2 synthetic", the word "analysis" relates to the splitting up of subject into its different facets and phases. The word "synthesis" relates to the combining of the foci in all the facets and the phases. But in UDC "analytic" is used in the sense of providing a ready-made class number in the scheme for each subject. Ranganathan's term for such a scheme is "enumerative". This is more suggestive. Hence "analytic" may be replaced by "enumerative". This sentence may hence be amended to: "A scheme of classification can also be enumerative", 13 THE NEW SENTENCE 3 In the light of the discussion of the new sentence 1, this sentence may be amended to: "An analytico-synthetic scheme of classification provides for phased and faceted notation." Replace "symbol" by "class number". The statement is not strictly true. the class numbers in a schme It is true in the case of many of adopting decimal notation and adhering to the Principle of Decreasing Extension. But it is not true in the case of all class numbers. For example, it is not true in the case of the first array of class numbers in a scheme. Again, here we are making a general statement regarding an enumerative scheme of classificaion irrespective of the kind of notation adopted. The question of "each symbol being a natural subdivision of some other" arises only in decimal notation. This sentence may therefore be replaced by: "An enumerative scheme of classification, provides a readymade class number for each subject." 15 THE NEW SENTE~CES 5 AND 6 In the light omitted as irrelevant of the discussion above, these sentences may be on unnecessary. This sentence may hence be amended to : "The introduction of the connecting symbols renders the Universal Decimal Classification analytico-synthetic". 96 ANNA.LS

4 JUNE 1954 DIALECTICS OF UDC (8) 2 Sentence 2 In the light of the discussion above, this sentence may be omitted. 3-4 Sentences 3 and 4 Attention is drawn to sentence UDC (6). Abgila 3, 1953, ). the idea contained in that sentence. as tautological. 5 Sentence 5 3 of section 4 (see Dialectics of These two sentences repeat They may hence be omitted This sentence has no unity in the verbal plane. Nor has it unity in the idea plane. It is also elliptical. Securing unity and filling up the ellipsis, it may be replaced by the following four Sentences: A series of auxiliary subdivision classes is provided 111 the scheme of classification. 2 (This provision) is a relatively insignificant addition. 3 Anyone of these is applicable throughout the series of main classes. 4 The comprehensiveness of the classification is enormously enhanced at this extra cost.' 51 THE _ TEW SENTENCE I The "auxiliary subdivision classes" are given in more than one schedule in the UDC. "Series" may hence be replaced by "set of schedules". "Classes" may be replaced by "isolates". This sentence may therefore be amended to: "A set of schedules of auxiliary subdivision isolates is provided in the scheme of classification', This is a new idea. It may hence start a new para. 52 THE NEW SENTENCE 2 Replace "relatively" by "relative to the length of the main schedules." LIBRARY SCIENCE 97

5 K. A. ISAAO V I. N 2 The word "insignificant" by itself is vague. Here it pertains to the length of the schedules of auxiliary subdivision isolates. This should be specified. "This provision" may hence be replaced by "Their length". This sentence may hence be amended to: "Their length IS insignificant relative to the length of the main schedules." 53 THE NEW SENTENCE 3 "Main Classes" has already been replaced by "scheduled decimal fractions". Replace "throughout the sertes of main clasess" by "to any of the scheduled decimal fractions." This sentence may therefore be amended to: "Anyone of these is applicable to any of these scheduled decimal fractions". 54 THE NEW SENTENCE 4 Using standard terms hitherto arrived at, this sentence may be amended to: "The capacity of the scheduale of classification to individualise a subject is enormously enhanced at this extra cost." Replace "at this extra cost" by "thus". Replace "enhance" by "increase". This sentence may hence be amended to: "The capacity of the scheme of classification to individualise a subject is thus enormously increased." 6 Re-statement of the Para "A scheme of classification can be analytico-synthetic. A - scheme of classification can also be enumerative. An analyticosynthetic scheme of classification provides for phased and faceted notation. An enumerative scheme of classification provides a readymade class number for each subject. The introduction of the signs of association renders the Universal Decimal Classification analyticosynthetic., A set of schedules of auxiliary subdivision isolates is provided in the scheme of classification. Their length is insignificant relative to the length of the main schedules. Anyone of these is applicable to any of the scheduled decimal fractions. The capacity of the sheme of classification to individualise a subject is thus enormously increased." 98 ANNALS