An Integrative Model for the Study of Kazakh Folklore Based on Psychoanalysis and Digital Humanities

Abstract

This article presents an integrative model for the study of Kazakh folklore that combines a psychoanalytic approach with Digital Humanities methods. The proposed model integrates digital text analysis, contextual analysis, and psychoanalytic interpretation within a unified methodological framework. The relevance of the study stems from the need to develop a methodology that enables quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis of multiple folklore texts through the use of digital technologies. In existing research, digital methods are primarily employed to identify recurring elements and structures, whereas the psychoanalytic approach focuses on interpreting symbols, motifs, and the internal psychological states of characters. The integration of these two approaches makes it possible to develop a systematic and effective model for the analysis of folklore texts.

The aim of the study is to develop and test an integrative analytical model based on the sequential application of digital analysis, contextual analysis, and psychoanalytic interpretation. The research material consists of five Kazakh folk narratives. The texts were segmented into meaningful episodes and subjected to multilevel semantic coding. The study employed frequency analysis, co-occurrence analysis of semantic categories, network analysis, comparative analysis of the semantic profiles of the narratives, and psychoanalytic analysis.

The results demonstrate that digital analysis makes it possible to identify recurring semantic structures and the relationships between them. At the same time, contextual analysis revealed that similar plot situations, motifs, and images may perform different functions depending on the narrative context. The findings indicate that digital analysis is most appropriately used to identify recurring semantic structures, while contextual analysis serves to determine their specific functions within the narrative. Psychoanalytic interpretation should be applied only after returning to the text and verifying the identified patterns within their immediate contexts. The proposed approach broadens the methodological possibilities for the study of Kazakh folklore.

Keywords: folklore, psychoanalysis, digitalization, Digital Humanities, integrative model, semantic coding, contextual analysis, network analysis.