A Systematic Exploration of Interreal Translations in the Media Multiverse

Introduction

What will be the shape of the mediated reality to come? Current models include a single interconnected immersive metaverse, an increasing integration between physical reality and ambient technology, and a postdigital disaffection towards immersive technologies.

Concept of Media Multiverse

InterReal argues that the most probable outcome, in the near future, will not be the identification of a clear avenue, but rather a multiplication of “realities”: a Media Multiverse. This multiverse encompasses all kinds of media-generated virtual spaces, including:

• Immersive Virtual Reality (VR)
• Layers of Augmented Reality (AR) visualized over the physical world
• Virtual worlds of digital games

At the centre of the semiotic workings of the multiverse are mechanisms of interreal translations: specific forms of intersemiotic translation that transfer objects, spaces, or subjects across realities.

Project Objectives

InterReal aims to develop an innovative approach to study and understand translations between different realities, and how they could influence our future. The project objectives are:

1. Advance our empirical understanding of interreal translations (Obj1)
2. Enhance our methodological capacity to approach them (Obj2)
3. Create a theoretical framework to understand the media multiverse (Obj3)

Methodological Approach

To achieve these objectives, we propose a combination and innovation of methods and approaches from translation studies and speculative research.

Analytical Approach (WP1)

The analytical approach will provide us with a nuanced understanding of the current state of interreal translations.

Speculative Approach (WP2)

The speculative approach will offer a critical look at the current ideologies and future possibilities related to the development of the media multiverse.

Synthesis (WP3)

The synthesis between the two approaches will pave the way for a new discipline: Multiverse Studies, which we urgently need as our mediascape becomes increasingly complex, difficult to navigate, and fragmented.