A Conceptual Model of Folktale Classification as a Visual Guide to a Malaysian Folktale Classification System Development

In a study to systematically preserve the Malaysian folktales as one of Malaysia’s intangible cultural heritage, a Malaysian Folktale Classification System (MFCS) is proposed to be developed as encouraged by UNESCO. Such a classification system is currently absent in Malaysia. In order to develop a comprehensive classification system, three folktale units are integrated and utilized: function, motif, and type. The use of the three folktale units ensures that the MFCS covers two important facets of folktale: structure and content. The integration of the classification system warrants a complicated classification process. Therefore, a conceptual model, which is central to this article, is constructed as a visual guide to assist the classification process. It illustrates a flow of analysis and all components required to classify namely the three folktale units and their guiding factors, and a primary classification method. A pictorial representation method is utilized to construct the conceptual model. With the conceptual model constructed, it is expected that the analysis of the Malaysian folktales toward the development of the MFCS becomes apparent and guided.