(for an overview, see:
mis-attribution)
Foreign mis-attribution is the attribution of a false or real foreign source to an original idea, with the intention of granting academic legitimacy to that idea.
For example, if you decide to write a paper arguing that the character Ophelia in Shakespeare's
King Lear is actually a closet lesbian, you'll probably want to provide evidence. The play you'll have to scour yourself, of course, but original research in the humanities or social sciences is often insufficient to convince your teacher that you're right or bright. Hence, you'll need secondary sources: proof that earlier academics have either already argued what you're arguing, or have argued something similar. In academia, unless you're established, you have to build on those who are.
If such precedents exist, it may be tough to search them out; if they
don't exist, doubly tough. In either case, you may wish to take a shortcut: simply invent the precedents.
Dabble in English inventions at your own peril, however! Teachers may be limited in their knowledge, but they
do know their own field. To move away from what they know, move the playing field beyond their language and beyond their country.
Here, you have a choice: exactly how much to invent?
1. You could go all the way and invent an entire person. If you do, pick common names that will be a pain to look up on Google.
2. You could pick a real academic (search some university, college or academic journal sites) somewhat in your own area of interest. If you choose this route, make sure they're not terribly well known. As an added twist, you could also pick the last name of a real academic and change the first name.
Regardless, once you get past the person, whether real or imaginary, you'll have to decide on a source. Again, choices:
1. If you're using a real person, you can also choose a real source. Instant credibility. The downside: you're being specific. If your teacher manages to check the source, you're cooked. There are still ways out of the predicament, but you'd rather not get into it in the first place.
2. If you're using a real or imaginary person, you can use an imaginary source. A fake article in a
real journal that
isn't indexed online is one good choice. As is any title in the original language. That way, it won't be a dead give-away when the title returns no searches in Google. If you want to get extra tricky, find a real title in English, then translate it into another language, and make that the title of your invented foreign source!
In the end, it really does come down to creativity. There are hundreds of variations and tips for the ultimate foreign mis-attribution. But always remember:
Make it
appear reasonable and make it Google-proof.
see also:
ghost mis-attributionsee also:
peer-reviewed mis-attributionsee also:
the foreign source