Phonostatistical Analysis of the Epic «manas» (According to the Variant of Bagysh Sazan Uulu)

In the article, the authors analyze a variant of the epic “Manas”, written by the storyteller Bagysh Sazan uulu, which was subjected to phonostastical research. This variant was written in Latin between 1938 and 1941 and again in 1949, in Kyrgyzstan. The paper presents quantitative data on the phonetic features of this epic variant, obtained by the authors through computer processing of a digitized, handwritten text. Individual phonemes and clusters of phonemes are both analyzed. The quantitative data are then compared with previously collected statistical data from a variant of the epic by the storyteller, Zhusup Mamai, which was recorded in the People’s Republic of China. This comparison reveals the existence of fundamental characteristics that are shared by both versions of the epic. When it comes to vowels, there is a coincidence in the use of vowel sounds based on their signs of length, brevity, and width. Similarly, when it comes to consonants, both versions follow the same order in terms of consonant sounds. However, there are also significant differences in phonostastics between the two epic variants. In terms of vowels, differences can be seen in the usage of vowel sounds, specifically in terms of coarseness and back/front rows. In terms of consonants, one significant difference between the variants is the absence of certain sounds, such as m, s, and y, in the Bagysh Sazana uulu version. Another notable difference between the epics lies in their use of bowed or slit consonants.These differences can be explained by the changes that have taken place in the language of Chinese Kyrgyz due to the influence of Chinese and require further study. The phonostastistical analysis of sound usage in this study is significant both for Kyrgyz and Turkic languages as a whole.