Narratiivistumine

Narratiivistumine is a term used primarily in Estonian sociolinguistics and communication studies to refer to the process by which facts, events, and experiences are transformed into structured stories. The concept is similar to the English term narrativization, and it draws on insights from narrative theory, discourse analysis, and social constructionism.

The word combines narrative (näraalugu in Estonian) with the Russian‑derived suffix –istumine, indicating a transformation or becoming. It entered academic vocabulary in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as scholars began to examine how public institutions, media outlets, and individuals shape collective meaning through storytelling. A key idea is that narrativist approaches are practical: they help explain how policy, policy communication, or social movements use narrative to mobilize support and shape public perception.

Narratiivistumine is often studied in contexts such as health communication, journalism, and political rhetoric. Researchers analyse how facts are selected, which characters are highlighted, and what morals or conclusions are emphasized. The process is seen as a form of framing, but with a stronger focus on temporal continuity and causal coherence.

Critics argue that converting data into narratives can oversimplify complex realities and reinforce dominant ideologies. Nonetheless, many scholars see narrativist techniques as indispensable for making abstract information accessible and persuasive. The concept has influenced both theoretical debates and applied fields such as strategic communication, policymaking, and education.