遗嘱数字化，是保存还是遗失？｜2024年7月号

The UK’s Ministry of Justice is deliberating on a proposal to digitize millions of wills dating back over 150 years and destroy the original documents. This plan has immediately sparked strong reactions from historians and archivists, who fear such an action could irreversibly damage future historical research.

The government contends that digitization will significantly enhance public access to these documents, offering both speed and convenience while saving substantial storage space and maintenance cost as much as £4.5 million per year. Nevertheless, it has been proposed that wills of historical significance belonging to notable figures, such as Charles Darwin or Princess Diana, will be preserved in their original form as a mark of respect for history.

Critics of the proposal argue that paper documents, as irreplaceable historical resources, possess a unique value that digital copies cannot replace, including their tactile feel, detail, and historical context. They also express concerns about the long-term preservation of digital archives, fearing the risks of loss, tampering, or damage with technological iterations.

Another argument is that the government should not have the power to determine which wills are worth keeping. For example, Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse who aided British soldiers during the Crimean War, was relatively unknown until recent years. Her will, like many others, could have been overlooked, but is now recognized as an important historical asset. This demonstrates that even seemingly insignificant wills can emerge as historical treasures in the future.

To alleviate public concern, the Ministry of Justice has pledged to request opinions publicly to decide which wills should be kept in their original form.While digitization offers cost-saving and efficiency benefits, it is crucial to handle historical documents with care. Historians hope this debate can awaken a heightened awareness of preserving historical artifacts, ensuring that technology and cultural heritage coexist in the new era.

英国司法部正在慎重考虑一项提案，就是将数百万份超过 150 年的遗嘱数字化，并销毁原始文件。这一计划立即引发了历史学家和档案保管员的强烈反应，他们担心此举将对未来的历史研究造成不可逆转的损害。

政府主张数字化将显着提升大众对这些文件的使用，提供了速度和便利，同时节省了大量的储存空间和每年高达450 万英镑的维护成本。然而，有人提出，知名人物如查尔斯‧达尔文或黛安娜王妃等具有历史重要意义的遗嘱将以原始形式保存，以示对历史的尊重。

该提案的批评者主张，作为不可替代的历史资源，纸本文件具有数字副本无法取代的独特价值，包括触感、细节和历史背景。他们还对数字档案的长期保存表示担忧，担心随着技术的迭代，存在遗失、窜改或反复损坏的风险。

另一个论点是政府不应该有决定哪些遗嘱值得保存的权利。例如，玛丽‧西科尔是一位牙买加护士，在克里米亚战争期间帮助英国士兵，直到最近才被人所知。她的遗嘱，像许多其他遗嘱一样，本来可能被忽视，但现在被认为是一个重要的历史资产。这表明即使看似不重要的遗嘱也可能在未来成为历史宝藏。

为了减轻大众的担忧，司法部承诺将公开征求意见，以决定哪些遗嘱应该以原始形式保存。尽管数字化提供了节省成本和提高效率的好处，但仍必须小心处理历史文件。历史学家希望这场辩论能唤起对保存历史文物的高度警觉，确保科技和文化遗产在新时代共存。

1. deliberate  v. 仔细讨论；慎重考虑

The committee will deliberate on the proposed changes tomorrow.

委员会将于明天对所提议的更改进行仔细讨论。

2. document  n. 文件；公文

Please ensure that all your documents are in order before the meeting.

请确保在会议之前所有文件都整理好。

3. contend  v. 声称；主张

Many experts contend that a child’s early years greatly shape their personality.

许多专家主张儿童的幼年时期大大地形塑了他们的人格。

4. notable  adj. 著名的；值得注意的

Ryan’s literature class is focusing on a number of notable authors from the 19th century.

莱恩的文学课聚焦在公元 19 世纪一些著名的作者。

5. archive  n. 档案；档案室

The old photographs were kept safe in the archive.

旧照片被安全地保存在档案室里。

6. asset  n. 资产；财产

A good reputation is a valuable asset for any business.

良好的声誉对任何企业都是一项宝贵的资产。

7. crucial  adj. 重要的；关键的

Having failed two crucial exams, Morris will probably have to take the class again.

在两个极为重要的考试不及格后，莫里斯可能要重修这门课。

8. heighten  v. 增强；加强

Some people say when they close their eyes, their other sensory functions like hearing are heightened.

有些人说当他们闭上眼睛时，诸如听觉的其他感官功能就会增强。

9. heritage  n. 遗产；传统

Some countries' temples are an important part of their cultural heritage.

一些國家的寺庙是其文化遗产的重要部分。