The Conversion Index

Author: Jiarui Liu

  • CI-1911-NFP: The “Grubenhund”

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    Jiarui Liu
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    Note: The following case study is inspired from the research of USC History Professor Deborah R. Coen. Report paragraphs are highly preliminary, so please check back for details. Case CI-1911-NFP: The Ostrau-Karwin “Mine-Dog” Date: Mar 10, 2026  By: Jiarui Liu  Category: Category I: Commensurable Mismatch (Expert-Lay Interface)  Tags:Public Media, Technical Jargon, Semantic Drift, Institutional Friction  Case ID: CI-1911-NFP Abstract…

  • CI-HS03: The Vinegar / Dissolution Orthographic Shift

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    Jiarui Liu
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    Note: The following case study are adapted syntheses based heavily on the published research of Prof. Alexandre M. Roberts and Prof. Deborah R. Coen (USC Departments of Classics and History). Full report is in preliminary form, please check back for details. Date: Mar 3, 2026  By: Jiarui Liu  Category: Category I: Commensurable Mismatch (Intra-Paradigm)  Tags: Medieval Chemistry, Philology, Orthographic…

  • CI-HS02: Byzantine Engagement in Chemistry and Alchemy

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    Note: This case study is an adapted synthesis based heavily on the published research of Prof. Alexandre M. Roberts (USC Departments of Classics and History), specifically his work on the historiography of medieval chemistry in Byzantium and the Islamic world. Case CI-HS02: The Translation of Byzantine and Islamicate Kīmiyā’ / Chymia Date: Feb 27, 2026 By: Jiarui Liu Category: Category II:…

  • Announcement: Preliminary Post Group for Classical Chinese Translation

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    Jiarui Liu
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    Case CI-CN-BATCH1: Lexical Clusters in Classical Chinese Philosophy Date: Feb 25, 2026 By: Jiarui Liu, Molly HeCategory: Category II: Cross-Paradigm Gap Tags: Classical Chinese Philosophy, Philology, Conceptual Translation, Cluster Case Case ID: CI-CN-BATCH1 (Includes sub-cases CI-CN-02, CI-CN-03, CI-CN-04) Abstract & Summary This cluster documents a systemic pattern of translational friction occurring at the interface between Classical Chinese philosophical terminology and modern English. Because Classical…

  • Release Notes: v1.1, Major Methodology Update

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    Jiarui Liu
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    Date: February 2026 Subject: Transitioning from an operational framework to an STS-aligned model of commensurability. The Conversion Index (TCI) was initially designed with a highly structured, quantitative, and operational taxonomy. Drawing heavily from computational physics and engineering, the v1.0 methodology treated knowledge transfer as a mechanical process with measurable “loss.” Following extensive review and feedback from faculty…

  • Case CI-HS01: The Translation of Pre-Newtonian Impetus

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    Date: Feb 17, 2026 By: Jiarui Liu Category: Category II: Cross-Paradigm Gap Tags: History of Science, Commensurability, Historiography, Conceptual Translation Case ID: CI-HS01 Abstract & Summary The conceptual translation of the medieval scholastic concept of impetus into the modern vocabulary of momentum or inertia represents a profound Category II translational friction. While early historians of science often attempted to establish a direct continuity between 14th-century…

  • CI-2003-LFB: The Laufenburg Bridge

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    Date: Jan 29, 2026 By: Jiarui Liu Category: Category I: Commensurable Mismatch (Intra-Paradigm) Tags: Civil Engineering, Metrology, Infrastructure Mismatch, Sign Error Case ID: CI-2003-LFB Abstract & Summary During the 2003 construction of the Hochrheinbrücke (High Rhine Bridge) connecting the German and Swiss halves of the town of Laufenburg, a routine check revealed a 54-centimeter vertical…

  • Case CI-CN01: The Translation of Junzi

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    Jiarui Liu
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    Note: This is a case backdated to initial creation under construction, pending more primary source checks and further research. Check back for the full version. Date: Feb 4, 2026 By: Jiarui Liu Category: Category II: Cross-Paradigm Gap Tags: Classical Chinese Philosophy, Philology, Semantic Decay, Relational Ethics Case ID: CI-CN01 Abstract & Summary The conceptual translation of the classical Chinese term junzi (君子)…

  • CI-1999-MCO: The Mars Climate Orbiter

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    Jiarui Liu
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    Note: this is an archival case backdated to its creation. Upon the update of the methodology the case is undergoing active updates. Date: Jan 22, 2026 By: Jiarui Liu Category: Category I: Commensurable Mismatch (Intra-Paradigm) Tags: Aerospace Engineering, Software Interface, Metrology, Silent Translation Failure Case ID: CI-1999-MCO Abstract & Summary On September 23, 1999, NASA lost the $327.6 million Mars…

  • Release Note: v1.0

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    Jiarui Liu
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    Release date: January 2026Status: Active / Calibration Phase This release marks the first public prototype of TCI. Version 1.0 establishes the core methodology and classification schema and introduces an initial validation set of cases spanning technical and institutional domains. Included Cases Scope and Limitations The v1.0 dataset is intentionally tiny. Its purpose is to validate…