Automatic Enrichment and Classification of Folktales in the Dutch Folktale Database

This paper describes the development of the Dutch Folktale Database as a digital archive of intangible heritage and a sophisticated research instrument. Current research focuses on automating the assignment of metadata to folktales and on obtaining a better understanding of classifications of folktales into types, as well as an understanding of motif sequences. These studies are useful for future fundamental research into patterns and structures, such as historical and geographical variation in oral tradition, on an international scale.