This study critically examines the current state of functional folklore research in Türkiye and proposes a standard classification model for the field. The research is based on problems identified in Turkish scholarship concerning the functions of folklore products. Doctoral and master's theses and academic articles retrieved from the Higher Education Council National Thesis Center, DergiPark, and TrDizin databases were analyzed through comparative content analysis. The findings reveal five major issues: the limited scope of functional folklore models, the lack of methodological and terminological consistency, difficulties in interpreting and relating multiple functions of folklore products, the tendency to emphasize positive functions, and challenges in explaining folklore’s functional transformation in contemporary contexts. To address these issues, the study proposes the Contextual-Functional Core Areas Taxonomy in Folklore Studies. Based on seventeen core functional areas, the model aims to provide a systematic and balanced framework for analyzing the multidimensional functions of folklore products.
Folklore, function, context, HABİTAT model, Türkiye.