METHODOLOGY FOR STUDYING NATIONAL COLORISTICS IN MODERN POETRY: A CASE STUDY OF CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

The study of national coloristics in modern poetry has emerged as a crucial area of research within literary studies, especially in post-Soviet cultural contexts where national identity is being redefined and reimagined through creative expression. This article introduces a methodological framework for analyzing national coloristics in contemporary Kazakh poetry, focusing on artistic representation, symbolism, and linguistic markers that convey cultural uniqueness. National coloristics, understood as a set of culturally encoded images, colors, metaphors, and stylistic patterns that reflect the worldview of a nation, serves as an interpretive tool to explore how modern poets express ethnic memory, tradition, and modernity. The research applies qualitative discourse analysis, semantic mapping, and comparative stylistics to examine a selection of poetic works by leading Kazakh poets of the 21st century. The methodology integrates interdisciplinary approaches from cultural linguistics, semiotics, and literary hermeneutics, allowing for an in-depth interpretation of poetic language and cultural meanings. The article emphasizes the importance of analyzing color vocabulary, ethnocultural symbols, references to national historical narratives, and traditional images such as tengrism, steppe landscapes, and nomadic ethos. These components construct a distinct aesthetic system, where color terms (e.g., kök meaning both blue and sky, symbolizing eternity), traditional ornaments, and myths are woven into poetic discourse. Through textual sampling, metaphorical mapping, and contextual observation, the methodology traces how poets encode cultural memory and how readers decode emotional and symbolic layers of national color. The research also highlights the transformation of coloristics under globalization and digital culture, illustrating how contemporary Kazakh poetry balances national identity with modern themes such as urbanization, gender dynamics, and ecological concern. Attention is given to the challenges of translating national coloristics into other languages, as cultural semantics often lose nuance in non-native settings. The methodological framework therefore incorporates translation analysis to assess preservation of meaning and connotative depth. Data interpretation is based on close reading, thematic coding, and cross-text comparative analysis, enabling a structured mechanism for classification of color-symbol patterns. The article argues that national coloristics is not a static phenomenon but a dynamic element of literary evolution, reflecting collective values, emotional heritage, and ideological changes within society. By providing clear analytical procedures and evaluation criteria, this research contributes to the theoretical foundations of national poetics and offers practical tools for future studies in Central Asian literature. The proposed methodology may support scholars, educators, and translators in examining how contemporary Kazakh poets negotiate identity through symbolic imagery. It suggests that national coloristics is a key indicator of cultural continuity and artistic innovation. Understanding this dimension allows for more profound interpretations of poetic texts and expands academic discourse on global literary diversity. Ultimately, this article serves as a foundation for ongoing research into national coloristics, demonstrating its relevance for literary criticism, cultural studies, and language-based identity research.