Document Type : Research paper
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Bu - Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
2 PhD student in Arabic language and literature, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
Abstract
The field of social semiotics, a branch of semiotics, focuses on revealing concealed meanings within texts. Pierre Guiraud, a notable theorist in this discipline, distinguishes between two categories of social signs: those related to identity and those pertaining to social etiquette. Given their intrinsic link to society, social novels are rich in such signs. In Dafatir al-Warraq (Notebooks of the Bookseller), the narrative highlights injustices prevalent in Jordanian society, portraying the anguish endured by marginalized individuals oppressed by powerful figures. The author aims to depict issues such as poverty, corruption, and unemployment—common afflictions faced by many in the Third World. This study seeks to clarify the social signs present in Dafatir al-Warraq, authored by Jalal Barjas, through the lens of Pierre Guiraud's social semiotic theory, employing a descriptive-analytical approach. Findings reveal that Barjas effectively incorporates both identity signs and elements of social etiquette to illustrate various economic, cultural, and social challenges within Jordanian society. Notably, specific identity markers—such as clothing, food choices, and professions—alongside certain aspects of social etiquette like speech tone—have proven particularly impactful in conveying societal disparities. In signs such as place, occupation, non-verbal signs and tone of speech, Barjas has been able to establish harmony between these signs with the economic and social standings of the characters and illustrate their reciprocal effects on one another.
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