Documentation, Information and the Animal Connection

• Published in: Proceedings from the Document Academy
• Main Author: Geir Grenersen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Akron Press 2016
• Subjects: documentation; information; communication; sámi; animal communication; Information resources (General); ZA3040-5185; Bates; reindeer husbandry
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.35492/docam/3/2/15; https://doaj.org/article/ebde1371e09f4090a6dad176877f016e

The article elaborates on the informational relationship between nature, animals and humans. In traditional societies, nature and animals are rich sources of information and documentation, as seen in Sámi reindeer husbandry. Today, research on animal behaviour has shown that animals are capable of sophisticated communication with humans. In the field of documentation and information studies, Marcia Bates has made a significant contribution to this perspective. The article presents some of her concepts, and discusses their potential use in empirical research on documentation in the Sámi society.