In the paper I will connect the process of creating maps based on texts to differences between the two media at a formal level. I will introduce transformative digital intermedia studies and show how critical stepwise formalisation as a modelling method is especially well suited to study media differences at a micro level. I will show examples of problems detected by the method and how they can be understood theoretically.
While I will document several types of textual expressions which are not translatable to maps, I do not claim the two should be separated. On the contrary: because of their different sign systems and because they can present different if overlapping views of the world, combining them is necessary to move towards richer geographical stories.