A Semantic Analysis of Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboy

Abstract

The ubiquitous role that language plays in the existence of man cannot be denied. All around him man sees languages spoken; he hears, speaks, feels and interprets language. But as all-present as language is, it is useless without meaning for it is meaning that defines man’s relationship with language. Meaning is therefore what this work delves into, attempting to uncover the underlying meaning embedded in the language of Ferdinand Oyono in Houseboy. Because semantics is basically the study of meaning, the author attempts to bring out how semanticity is employed to delineate the themes of this novel. The work concludes that through the effective use of language, Oyono succeeded in letting us catch a glimpse of the African world view and the African personality which is simple, rich and calculated.