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Critical Semiotic Analysis of David Diop's Poem: "THE VULTURES"
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Semiotics
Abstract
Language is a veritable tool in communication. It is a structured system of communication, used by human beings to convey messages, either through verbal or non-verbal medium. However, effective communication is achieved eclectically, by means of linear words, signs, symbols, gestures and imagery. Oftentimes, speakers use proverbs, songs, poems and slangs to enhance effective communication, to a desirable end. This study therefore, sets to examine the efficacy of the use of signs and symbols in poems to pass across information or messages. ?The vultures? one of the poems of David Diop, is sourced from the internet, and used as the data for this study. Methodology that is adopted for the analysis is Critical Semiotic Analysis, propounded by Caldas ? Coulthard and van Leeuwen (2003). The main purpose of this study is specifically to examine the use of semiotic modes, such as, imagery, signs and symbols, and linear words in achieving good communication. The findings, however, reveal that the use of semiotic modes: representational and discursive signs, through symbols and linear words respectively, help to a large extent, in conveying in the mind of the readers or audience vivid meanings of the message. The study also reveals the fact that unbridled callousness of the foreigners brought colossal damage to the socio ? economic life of the Africans. The critical semiotic analysis has therefore illuminated the effects of inhumane attitudes of the Colonial Masters and the overall trauma and cultural degradation they have foisted on the psyches of the Africans, generally.
Keywords
Language, Communication, Semiotics, modes, Poem.
References
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[4] Crenosko, G. (2016). Critical Semiotic: Theory from Information to affect. London: Bloomsbury
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How to cite this paper
@article{1707856,
author = {Elusakin, Kayode Titus PhD , Unoroh, Solomon Ogheneochuko},
title = {Critical Semiotic Analysis of David Diop's Poem: "THE VULTURES"},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {8},
number = {10},
pages = {393-399},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1707856.pdf},
abstract = {Language is a veritable tool in communication. It is a structured system of communication, used by human beings to convey messages, either through verbal or non-verbal medium. However, effective communication is achieved eclectically, by means of linear words, signs, symbols, gestures and imagery. Oftentimes, speakers use proverbs, songs, poems and slangs to enhance effective communication, to a desirable end. This study therefore, sets to examine the efficacy of the use of signs and symbols in poems to pass across information or messages. ?The vultures? one of the poems of David Diop, is sourced from the internet, and used as the data for this study. Methodology that is adopted for the analysis is Critical Semiotic Analysis, propounded by Caldas ? Coulthard and van Leeuwen (2003). The main purpose of this study is specifically to examine the use of semiotic modes, such as, imagery, signs and symbols, and linear words in achieving good communication. The findings, however, reveal that the use of semiotic modes: representational and discursive signs, through symbols and linear words respectively, help to a large extent, in conveying in the mind of the readers or audience vivid meanings of the message. The study also reveals the fact that unbridled callousness of the foreigners brought colossal damage to the socio ? economic life of the Africans. The critical semiotic analysis has therefore illuminated the effects of inhumane attitudes of the Colonial Masters and the overall trauma and cultural degradation they have foisted on the psyches of the Africans, generally.},
keywords = {Language, Communication, Semiotics, modes, Poem.},
month = {April},
}