A semiotic analysis of names given to pentecostal churches in Githurai, Kenya

Abstract

This study is a semiotic analysis of names given to Pentecostal churches in Githurai, Nairobi. The aim of this study was to examine, interpret, and discuss the names given to Pentecostal churches in the selected area. The research set out to find whether the names given to Pentecostal churches had denotative and connotative meanings. (ii) Establish how well pastors and worshippers understood the name given to their church and (iii) account for the different meanings in the names given to churches using the Social Semiotic Theory. The study was guided by the' Social Semiotic Theory as propounded by Halliday and Hasan (1989). To achieve the research objective of the study, the study adopted qualitative research design. The area of study was purposively .sampled, thus, allowed the researcher to identify in advance the required characteristics of the cases to be studied. Three respondents were interviewed from each of the twenty selected churches. The research instruments used in the study were semi - structured interview and tape recording. The data collected was in the form of tape recorded words and phrases. This data was then analysed using the Content Analysis technique. From the analysed data, it was established that the names of Pentecostal churches had both denotative and connotative meanings; it was also established that not every member of the church was conversant with the meaning associated with the name given to their church. The Social-Semiotic Theory accounted for the differences in the explanations given by the members. The study thus recommends for sensitization of worshippers on semantics and its relevance in the naming of their churches.