SEMIOTICS IN IFÁ CORPUS

Abstract

Semiotics is a theory in literature that tends to study and analyze the signs and symbols present in literary corpus of which Ifa is one. It looks at how these signs and symbols convey meaning and interpretation. Semiotics explores the relationship between the signifier (the physical form of the sign) and the signified (the concept or idea represented by the sign). This theory helps us to understand how language, images, and other forms of communication contribute to the overall meaning and interpretation in a literary work. By examining the semiotics, we can uncover deeper layers of meaning, uncover hidden messages, and gain deeper understanding of meanings. It is a combination of symbolism and signs interpretations. This paper attempts to review the importance of signs and symbols as special stylistic features that characterize Ifá corpus notable are the ìyẹ̀rẹ̀ (Ifá songs) and Ifá kíkì (chants). This paper then emphasizes that Ifa poetry makes use of words and sentences to suggest specific meaning with the backing of metaphoric features.