a Study of non-verbal communication in the Nigerian (Yorùbá) novels: The side code

Abstract

Non-verbal communication is a very important aspect of communication which plays a very crucial role in interpersonal relationship. Its role in the accentuation of verbal communication cannot be overemphasized. Existing literature has not given enough attention to side code as a form of non-verbal communication in the Yorùbá novel. This study fills the gap as it examines side codes, the contexts in which they occur in Yoruba novels with a view to establishing its communicative value. The study adopts semiotic theories of Saussure and Charles Sanders Peirce. Four Yorùbá novels: Ìrìnkèrindò Nínú Igbó Elégbèje and Ògbójú Ọdẹ Nínú Igbó Irúnmo̩lẹ̀. By D.O. Fagunwa, Ojú rí́́́ by Kola Oni and Ṣaworoidẹ by Akinwumi Isola were purposively selected because they have elements of side code and were subjected to semiotic and textual analyses. Side code helps in cultural determinism in the codification of disaster, chaos, lopsidedness, disappointment, success, identification of prince and complementarity.

Key Words: Side code; Semiotics; Purposive sample; Yorùbá novels