Defense of the dissertation of Akhmer Birzhan Ermekuly for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the specialty «8D02314 - Literary Studies»

L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, a dissertation defense for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Akhmer Birzhan Ermekuly on the topic «Text building in modern poetry: sign-symbol-detail-image» to the educational program «8D02314 – Literary Studies».

The dissertation was carried out at the «Kazakh Literature education department» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

The language of defense is kazakh

Official reviewers:

Sarjan Uakhitovich Takirov – Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Kazakh Literature, Academician E.A. Buketov Karaganda National Research University (Karaganda, Kazakhstan);

Asem Nurlankyzy Nurlanova – Candidate of Philological Sciences, Professor at Kazakh-American Free University (Oskemen, Kazakhstan).

Temporary members of the Dissertation Committee:

Ermek Satbyrbaevna Adaeva – Candidate of Philological Sciences, Lecturer at the Department of Kazakh Language and Turkic Studies, Nazarbayev University (Astana, Kazakhstan);

Orhan Söylemez – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Professor at the Department of Contemporary Turkic Dialects and Literature, Kastamonu University (Kastamonu, Türkiye);

Nurbol Djumagalievich Khudaybergenov – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Chief Researcher at the M.O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art (Almaty, Kazakhstan).

Scientific advisors:

Zhanat Askerbekkyzy Aimukhambet – Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor at the Department of Kazakh Literature, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Astana, Kazakhstan);

Inayat Alimjan – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Professor at the Institute of Turkic World Studies, Ege University (Izmir, Türkiye).

The defense will take place on November 27, 2026, at 03:00 PM in the Dissertation Council for the training direction «8D023 – Languages and literature» in the specialty «8D02314 – Literary Studies» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The defense meeting is planned to be held offline and online.

Link: https://clck.su/KcGVO

Address: Astana, Satpayev St., 2, Educational and Administrative Building, Room 302.

Abstract (English): Dissertation by Akhmer Birzhan Ermekuly on the topic «Text building in modern poetry: sign-symbol-detail-image» prepared for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) under the educational program 8D02314 – «Literary Studies» Relevance of the Dissertation Research. Determining the system of signs in a literary text and formulating the significance of national artistic perception by delving into the sacred, mythic, and linguistic layers of the sign establish the relevance of this study. Most contemporary literary studies are closely linked to modern scientific advances. The integration of scientific fields and the convergence of adjacent disciplines in comprehensive research bear witness to this. Structuralists, who prioritize examining text structure, regarded the word as a "sign" and articulated the concept of the linguistic sign through novel inquiry. The function of the signifier, which realizes the acoustic feature of the sign, and the function of the signified, which provides the conceptual content, have also become the mainstay of new studies. From this perspective, in analyzing a poetic text, we observe the importance of considering the interrelated functions of the concepts "sign – symbol – detail – image," which hold special significance within its structure. A word identified as a sign evolves into symbolic meaning, playing an essential role in artistic-figurative function and thereby opening paths to textual layers. It is well known that various innovations arise in contemporary literary studies, forming new terminology on that basis. The science of literature has also been enriched with new paradigms. Innovative approaches to the analysis of literary texts, while building upon traditional methods, have differentiated research aspects. Among these, structural-semiotic analysis of poetic texts and the examination of differences between a work of art and a text can be highlighted. Within this concept, the meaning and intra-textual function of sign, symbol, detail, and image–which pave the way for the object of representation–are defined. In demonstrating the structural-semiotic framework of the text, a scientific explanation of the term "text formation" is provided first. Examples of literary texts and methods for representing the nature of the sign in literature are differentiated. Within the framework of the text formation concept, sign, symbol, detail, and image are defined, and conclusions regarding modern poetic texts are drawn. In accordance with the topic, the connection and difference between a work of art and a text are analyzed. Furthermore, key attention is paid to their primary attributes in revealing the structure of a poetic text, analyzing aspects such as the relationship of the sign to the text, the symbolic layer, the role of detail in the text, and the intrinsic nature of the image, thereby deepening the content and defining the significance of the study by revealing the poetic space. Theoretical and Methodological Foundations of the Research. The methodological and theoretical foundation of the study from the standpoint of literary text analysis consists of the works of foreign scholars: M.M. Bakhtin, H.-G. Gadamer, R. Wellek, A. Warren, E. Leach, J. Kristeva, I.R. Galperin, M.M. Girshman, V.I. Tiupa, N.D. Tamarchenko; and Kazakh scholars: A. Baitursynov, K. Zhumaliyev, Z. Kabdolov, Z. Akhmetov, R. Nurgali, S. Kaskabasov, Sh. Ibrayev. Regarding the semiotic-structural organization of poetic texts and codification canons, the study draws upon F. de Saussure, J.-F. Lyotard, R. Barthes, J. Derrida, Y.M. Lotman, R. Jakobson, V.Y. Propp, M.M. Glushko, B.O. Korman, C.W. Morris, S. Freud, C.G. Jung, Y.N. Tynyanov, Y.V. Kazarin, C. Todorov. For text formation and levels of literary texts, the research relies on the works of R. Syzdykova, S.G. Ilyenko, E.Y. Stratiychuk, A.B. Esin, Zh. Zhakyp, G.T. Abikenova, A.S. Adilova, and other literary scholars. In investigating the topic, priority is given to analysis and synthesis, as well as comparative, structural, semiotic, and mythopoetic research methods. Through these methods in literary studies, the goal is to comprehensively analyze literary texts, determine the significance of traditional concepts in the history of national consciousness and culture, examine the place of image and detail in text structure, and formulate conclusions about the artistic-figurative system and text formation while considering poetic cognition and perception in contemporary poets' works as key components. Object of Research. The objects of research include works by prominent representatives of modern Kazakh poetry: N. Aituly, S. Aksunkaruly, U. Esdaulet, T. Abdikakimuly, Y. Raushanov, S. Nurzhan, M. Raiymbekuly, and others. To demonstrate the continuity of poetic traditions, the creative works of earlier poets who introduced innovations to Kazakh poetry-such as M. Zhumabayev, K. Amanzholov, S. Maulenov, M. Makatayev, and S. Zhiyenbayev–were included for comparative analysis. Along with national literature, Western, Eastern, and foreign literatures are also covered. In analyzing poetic texts, main focus is given to the following issues: – first, revealing symbolic representation in the structure of literary texts serves as a basis for understanding the internal content and external form of the text; – second, through a comprehensive analysis of the connection between sign and image, the full space of the poetic text is revealed; – third, the system of connections between authorial intention and the "freedom" of the text is identified; – fourth, the figurative nature and aesthetic function of poetry are examined using the structural-semiotic method in modern literary studies. Degree of Research on the Topic. Among scholars who have researched text formation, the works of S.G. Ilyenko ("Textual Realization and Text-Forming Function of Syntactic Units"), E.Y. Stratiychuk ("Personality as a Text-Forming Category of a Literary Text (based on Russian and English material)"), Zh. Aymukhambet ("Space of Text and Work in Literary Art"), and A.S. Adilova ("Representation, Semantics, and Structure of Intertextuality in Modern Kazakh Literary Works," "Stylistics of Perception") can be noted. There are also numerous doctoral dissertations written on the structure of literary texts, semiotic aspects within texts, and the topic of text formation. Specifically, dissertations have been defended by Y. Pospelova ("Text-Forming Function of Literary Proper Names: Based on Epic Works of the 19th–20th Centuries"), V. Chernyavskaya ("Intertextuality as a Text-Forming Category in Scientific Communication"), E. Stratiychuk ("Personality as a Text-Forming Category of a Literary Text: based on Russian and English material"), as well as G. Otarbayeva ("Methodology of Developing Students' Creativity through Literary Text Interpretation"), G. Abikenova ("Theoretical Foundations of Semantic-Structural Text-Forming Units"), and Z. Zhuyintayeva ("Manifestation of Modern Kazakh Syntax Laws in the Text Formation of Q. Zhalayiri's 'Jami'at-Tawarikh'"). Systematizing the above topics and ideas to delve into certain issues of poetic text and text formation demonstrates that our research topic undeniably plays an important role in contemporary literary studies. In an era of rapid technological and innovative development, the sign and symbolic layers of text allow us to understand literary aspects more deeply and comprehensively. Purpose and Objectives of the Dissertation Research. The purpose of the study is to analyze artistic structures involved in text formation–such as sign, symbol, detail, and image relying on the main principles of the structural-semiotic analysis method, and to comprehensively analyze text formation in modern poetry through artistic images, symbols, and details, formulating original conclusions on that basis. In achieving this goal, based on theoretical conclusions of scholars, the term "text formation" is defined, and the study is conducted within the aspect of text formation and sign. The research is carried out to identify symbolic images in folklore and modern literature, as well as to reveal new directions of text using the deconstruction method. Objectives of the research: – To define the theoretical and methodological foundations of text formation in modern Kazakh poetry, systematizing its main laws and characteristics; – to determine the literary essence, functional role, and artistic significance of sign, symbol, detail, and image in defining the structure of a poetic text; – to reveal the ideological-aesthetic function of sign and symbol in text content by analyzing their artistic and semiotic roles in modern poetry; – to demonstrate the transformation of the sign into various figurative means, including the place of detail in text composition and its importance in creating artistic images; – to show the role of imagery tools in shaping the national characteristics and artistic identity of Kazakh poetry, defining the function of the image in the semantic field of a poetic text; – to describe the position of text formation in modern Kazakh poetry within the general literary process through the paradigm of "sign – symbol – detail – image," detailing new artistic trends in text structure; – to offer scientific-theoretical conclusions based on research results for the study of text formation in modern Kazakh poetry. Scientific Novelty of the Study: 1. The theoretical and methodological foundations of text formation in modern Kazakh poetry were systematically analyzed, and the structural features of poetic texts were established through the interconnectedness of sign, symbol, detail, and image categories; 2. The multi-layered semantic function of sign and symbol in Kazakh poetry was revealed, and their semantic-artistic role within text content was differentiated; 3. The place of detail in the compositional structure of the text and its semiotic significance in creating a poetic image were substantiated; 4. The essential function of representation in demonstrating national characteristics in poetry and its importance in enhancing aesthetic value were examined; 5. The poetic structure of text formation in modern Kazakh poetry–evolving from sign to symbol, detail, and artistic imagery–was demonstrated, highlighting its position in the national artistic space. Additionally, the study addressed critical aspects such as analyzing the artistic-aesthetic impact of poetry on the reader, the structure of literary narrative in semiotics, examining poetics through post-structuralism, and conducting deconstructive analysis of literary works. Main Propositions Submitted for Defense: 1. In modern Kazakh poetry, the categories of sign, symbol, detail, and image play an essential role as fundamental elements defining text formation; 2. Sign and symbol are key tools forming a multi-layered semantic field within the text's semantic structure. The artistic detail ensures the compositional and aesthetic integrity of the text, contributing to the deepening of figurative content; 3. The image aesthetically enriches the poetic content of the text and serves as an artistic mechanism for conveying national characteristics; 4. New artistic models of text formation in modern Kazakh poetry reflect the harmony of tradition and innovation in national literature. The research findings enrich text analysis methods in contemporary literary science and reveal the literary-cultural significance of modern Kazakh poetry. Research Methods. In investigating the topic, priority is given to analysis and synthesis, as well as comparative, structural, semiotic, and mythopoetic research methods. Through these methods in literary studies, the goal is to comprehensively analyze literary texts, determine the significance of traditional concepts in the history of national consciousness and culture, examine the place of image and detail in text structure, and formulate conclusions about the artistic-figurative system and text formation while considering poetic cognition and perception in contemporary poets' works as key components. Publication of Works Prepared within the Dissertation Framework: The following articles have been published in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus: 1. Onomastics and Terminology in Kazakh Religious Dastans // Theory and Practice in Language Studies. – 2026. – Vol. 16 Issue: 7. P. 2441-2450. 2. Apology as Public Mediation: An Analysis of Three Crisis Cases in Kazakhstan // Theory and Practice in Language Studies. – 2026. – Vol. 16, No. 8, pp. 2610-2621. The following articles were published in journals recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Science of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CQAHES MHES RK): 1. Symbolic and Mythopoetic Significance of Serikbol Kondybay's "Ilki Tor" Concept // Bulletin of the Eurasian Humanities Institute. – 2023. – No. 3. – P. 126-138. 2. The Function of Symbol in Text Formation // Keruen. – 2023. – Vol. 80, No. 4. – P. 52-62. 3. The Function of Detail in Literary Text Structure // Bulletin of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Philology Series. – 2024. – No. 2. Articles included in proceedings of international conferences and symposia: 1. Linguistic and Artistic Field of Details in Khoja Ahmed Yasawi's Hikmets. Cultural Studies, Art History and Philology: Modern Views and Scientific Research. Proceedings of the 76th Int. Sci.-Prac. Conf. (Moscow, 2023. – 70 p.) 2. Structure of Symbolism Poetry // Current Issues in Philology: Theory and Practice: Proceedings of the 4th Int. Sci.-Prac. Conf. (Volgograd: SRC "Absolut", 2021. – 272 p.) 3. Representation of Aesthetic Values in Ahmed Yasawi's Hikmets // Eurasian Humanities Institute, 2022. Proceedings of the Int. Sci.-Prac. Conf. "First Kusainov Readings 'Science and Education in the 21st Century: Trends and Prospects'." 4. Artistic Image in Poetic Text. Proceedings of the Int. Sci. Conf. for Students and Young Scientists "Ǵylym jáne bilim – 2024". Current Issues in Philology. 5. "Figurative Elements and Imagery in Magzhan Zhumabayev's Lyric Poetry: An Interdisciplinary Analysis through Formalist, Semiotic, and Cognitive Poetic Approach" Forum for Linguistic Studies. 2025-10-11. 6. Symbolic meaning of mythical motives in the poem "Masgut" by Abay Kunanbaiuly // Scientific Culture. – 2026. – Vol. 12, No. 2.1. – P. 6636-6644.

Dissertation

List of Scientific Works

Consultant's Review

Foreign Consultant's Review

Conclusion of the Research Ethics Committee