Wikidata:WikiProject Narration/Folktales

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General

Aim

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This taskforce is aimed at the improvement and documentation of our coverage and modelling of folktales in Wikidata. The model is still in development, so please suggest other ways of modelling or point out mistakes, inconsistencies or similar problems or add relevant resources to the resources section.

Resources

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Indexes and Classifications

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Other Resources

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General Model

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Stories

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A traditional story should have instance of (P31) with any subclass of traditional story (Q7832362), e.g.

As an alternative approach one could use instance of (P31)traditional story (Q7832362) along with genre (P136)ː

A traditional story may be manifest in a couple of written-down versions. The latter may be linked to the more abstract traditional story using manifestation of (P1557) (see the use of manifestation of (P1557) below in the section about tale types).

Tale types

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tale type (Q47451145), a recurring, self-sufficient plot or motif grouping.

Every tale type (Q47451145) can appear in a couple of variants, especially in written-down versions. Versions are currently linked to the tale type using manifestation of (P1557).

Tale types (and their variants) feature several folklore motif (Q2995443) and other things depicted. folklore motif (Q2995443) should use narrative motif (P6962), other things depicted depicts (P180)

Items can be both, a tale type and a traditional story.

Motifs

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folklore motif (Q2995443) elements or ideas recurring in traditional stories (as items, actors or incidents).

Motifs (especially items and actors) may represent certain entities or concepts, indicated using motif represents (P6875):

Motifs may feature certain entities or concepts, indicated using depicts (P180):

Motifs may be a facet of another motif (e.g. a "submotif" in Thompson's Motif-Index), indicated using facet of (P1269):

A fictional entity may be an example of a motif, indicated using manifestation of (P1557) or character type (P9071):

Queries

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  • Tree of types of traditional stories: query

Properties and Qualifiers

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Tale Types

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Title ID Data type Description Examples Inverse
instance ofP31Iteminstance of: a tale type should be an instance of tale type (Q47451145)Cinderella <instance of> tale type-
Aarne–Thompson–Uther Tale Type IndexP2540StringAarne–Thompson–Uther classification system: a tale type may be listed in the Aarne–Thompson–Uther classification system (Q301545) with this ATU (if so, it is helpful to note the number also in description and as alias)Sleeping Beauty <Aarne–Thompson–Uther Tale Type Index> 410-
time of earliest written recordP1249Point in timeearliest written record: a tale type may have a first written record (e.g. the first version published)The Theft of Fish <time of earliest written record> 1178-
narrative motifP6962Itemnarrative motif: tale types usually feature one or several folklore motif (Q2995443)The Theft of Food by Playing Godfather <narrative motif> dupe's food eaten and then blame fastened on them-
depictsP180Itemdepicting object: tale types usually feature other things, e.g. animal characters or actions depictedThe Fox Hangs Onto the Horse's Tail <depicts> foxdepicted by

Folktale versions

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Usually those versions will be written down versions. These may be modelled with the work item properties described at Wikidata:WikiProject_Books#Work_item_properties. In addition to these the following property is of interest to folk tale variants.

Title ID Data type Description Examples Inverse
manifestation ofP1557Itemmanifestation: to indicate that this work is a version of this tale type currently manifestation of (P1557) is usedThe Beauty Sleeping in the Wood <manifestation of> Sleeping Beauty-
narrative motifP6962Itemnarrative motif: to indicate motifs featured in this workLittle Briar Rose <narrative motif> fairy takes revenge for not being invited to feast-

Motifs

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Title ID Data type Description Examples Inverse
catalog codeP528Stringcatalog code: if the motif is described in Thompson's index of folk literature, please indicate the number using catalog code (P528) (catalog: Motif-Index of Folk-Literature (Q114946518)cock persuaded to crow with closed eyes <catalog code> K721-
depictsP180Itemdepicting object: used to indicate things featured in this motif (e.g. animal characters, objects, actions)cock persuaded to crow with closed eyes <depicts> closed eyesdepicted by
facet ofP1269Itemaspect: used to indicate that this motif is an aspect of that motif; also used to model Thompson's hierarchy between motifscoconut tree from head of slain monster <facet of> plants from body of slain person or animal-
indigenous toP2341Itemsource: used to indicate in which regions or cultures this motif is founddeity as lover of giantess <indigenous to> Icelanders-
motif representsP6875Itemmotif and narrative motif: used to indicate the entity or concept this motif represents (especially for items and actors)
May be qualified using object of statement has role (P3831) example (Q14944328) if it is only an example and not an exact match (see deity with many arms (Q111806653) as an example)		creator <motif represents> creator-
opposite ofP461Itemopposite and antonym: to indicate that one motif is the opposite of the other, under some perspective (if possible qualify using criterion used (P1013))God causes mortals' sin <opposite of> God withholds mortal from sinningopposite of

Property proposals to think about

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  • has retelling or retelling of used to link a traditional story or folktale (type) to a work capturing a retelling of this story. Written-down versions are the prototype, but this could capture audio or video recordings, too. Example (Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (Q209515) (folk tale) -> Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (Q120435422) (Diyab/Galland version published in Les Mille et Une Nuits). Currently manifestation of is used or this, but this property is quite vague in this context. Should be only used for works capturing a retelling of the story (e.g. Antoine Galland's translation/transcription of Hanna Diyab's retelling of Aladdin). Works based on other written-downn (recorded) versions can use based on (P144) or modified version of (P5059)

Motif Index of Folk Literature (Thompson) in Wikidata

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Thompson's motif index is used as basis to record motifs in wikidata. However, motifs in Wikidata should not represent Thompson motifs (or motif numbers). They represent motifs described in Thompson's motif index, but possibly in other sources, too.

Different motif numbers in Thompson's motif index may be merged if they represent the same concept (see origin of tattooing (Q111813866)).

Some of Thompson's "motifs" have a rather practical purpose: to organise other motifs. See for instance motif A590. "Demigods and culture heroes - miscellaneous". Those motifs may be deleted/merged (or ignored when importing)

Hierarchical relationships in Thompson's motif index may be deprecated if they seem implausible (see moon cut in half (Q111808520)). To get all hierarchical relationships in Thompson's motif index, you need to include deprecated statements, too.

Other hierarchical relationships may be added if they seem plausible or are described in other sources. (see after Fall first parents fed and clothed from one palm-tree (Q111813696) facet of (P1269)primeval human pair (Q111813385), for instance). Hierarchical relationships based on plausibility are sourced using based on heuristic (P887)inferred from name or label (Q84423633)

1. assignment of motifs to Thompson's motif index

To indicate that a certain motif is described in Thompson's Motif Index (1955-1958 edition) both

are used.

-> query: All motifs in wikidata described in Thompson's motif index (1955-1958 edition)

2. labels

In most cases labels are the same as the motif's name in Thompson's motif index. In case of (ethnic) slurs labels were updated or should be updated if missed (see creator with appearance of Black person (Q111812959), for instance). Sometimes labels are adjusted to be more inclusive (e.g. use "deity" instead of "god" unless it is clear from the context that only male deities are meant with this motif, see deities in relation to mortals (Q111807021), for instance).

Sometimes labels are adjusted to reflect the motif's position in the motif hierarchy: The first number in a division (ending with 0) should, according to Thompson (Motif-Index of Folk-Literature: Volume 1: A–C (Q102346487), page 22) represent general idea of the division. If a motif is "division head" but Thompson's name represents only part of the division, the label in Wikidata may be adjusted to be more inclusive.

If a motif has a different name in the item's label, the original name should go into the alias. Additionally, the original name may be found in as a qualifier here:

3. motif hierarchy

Thompson's motif index organises motifs in

chapters: A. Mythological motifs
-> grand divisions (groups of (multiples of) hundred): A700-A799. The heavens
-> (optional: smaller divisions (group of (multiples of) tens)): A710-A739. The sun
-> numbers: A700. Creation of the heavenly bodies
-> subdivisions of numbers: A700.1. heavenly bodies from objects thrown into sky

3.1. assignment of motifs to Thompson's sections

chapters:

not explicitly indicated in Wikidata. They are implied in the catalog code (e.g. creator (Q111806094)catalog code (P528)A0.catalog (P972)Motif-Index of Folk-Literature (Q114946518) implies that this motif is part of chapter A. Mythological motifs)

-> query: All motifs in wikidata described in Thompson's motif index (1955-1958 edition) chapter A

divisions:

only the most specific division is indicated in Wikidata. section, verse, paragraph, or clause (P958) is used as a qualifier to described by source (P1343):

numbers:

Numbers are indicated using catalog code (P528):
sun as man who left earth (Q111808168)catalog code (P528)A711catalog (P972)Motif-Index of Folk-Literature (Q114946518)

3.2. Thompson's motif hierarchy in Wikidata

facet of (P1269) is used for hierarchical organisation of motifs in Wikidata. Each submotif of a motif is (directly or indirectly) linked to it via facet of (P1269): heavenly bodies from objects thrown into sky (Q111808115)facet of (P1269)creation of the heavenly bodies (Q111808113) (A700.1. is a subnumber of A700).

The first motif in a division of hundreds or tens is used to represent the division. All motifs in a division should be (directly or indirectly) linked to it via facet of (P1269):

-> identity of creator (Q111806095)facet of (P1269)creator (Q111806094) is added as identity of creator (Q111806095) is part of the division A0-A99 Creator and creator (Q111806094) represents the general idea of this section.

facet of (P1269) assumes that the subject motif is more specific than the object motif / could be subsumed under the object motif. This is very often, but not always the case in Thompson. If a hierarchical relation in Thompson seems implausible with respect to how facet of (P1269) is used (to model motifs), the statement may be deprecated, with implausibility (Q16886573) as a reason for deprecation. The statement should not be removed.

Example: moon cut in half (Q111808520) (A755.4.1.). According to Thompson, this is a subdivision of moon cut in two by sun: hence waxes and wanes (Q111808517) (A755.4.). With respect to how facet of (P1269) is used to model motifs, this is implausible (the other direction seems to be true: moon cut in two by sun is a subdivision of moon cut in half).

-> query: All deprecated facet of (P1269) statements about motifs described in Thompson's motif index

cross references in Thompson's motif index

cross references are added to wikidata via one of the following properties:

Thompson does not indicate the nature of relation between motifs in cross references. Properties are chosen according to own judgement and the choice may be debatable.

4. Motifs merged in Wikidata

As items in Wikidata should represent concepts, motifs are merged in Wikidata if the difference is not clear. E.g. numbers A1465.1. and A1595. both carry the name "origin of tattooing". They seem to be about the same concept and are merged into item origin of tattooing (Q111813866)

Tasks

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  • Creating items for motifs in Thompson's motif index: ✓ Done
minimum information: catalog code (P528), described by source (P1343), facet of (P1269) (to map the motif hierarchy as given in Thompson's motif index)
sections A-Z: ✓ Done
section A: ✓ Done
sections B-Z:  to do
  • Adding references to narrative works from Thompson's motif index (narrative motif (P6962)):  In progress
  • Adding hierarchical relationships between motifs (facet of (P1269)) based on label (string matching; one label contains the other): ✓ Done
sections A-Z: ✓ Done

Queries

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  • trees of motifs described in Thompson's motif index in Wikidata (first two levels): query

Maintenance

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Recent changes in motif items

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A. Mythological motifs

B. Animals

...

Motif statistics

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share of items with motif statements (currently there are only items for motif sections A-E in Wikidata)

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