A Study of Non-Verbal Communication in 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 Yorùba novel. This study fills the gap as it examines side code, the contexts in which it occurs in Yorùbá novels with a view to establishing its communicative value. The study adopts semiotic theories of Saussure and Charles Sanders Peirce. However, symbolic signification which is one of the major elements of semiotic serves as the major pillar on which this work rests. Four Yorùbá novels: Ìrìnkèrindò Nínú IgbóElégbè je and Ògbó jú Ọdẹ Nínú Igbó Irúnmo̩ lẹ̀ by D. O. Fagunwa, Ojú rí by Kola ́Oni and Saworoide ̣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 status of personality and complementarity.