A semiotic analysis of names given to pentecostal churches in Githurai, Kenya
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Date
2013-04-22
Authors
Njoki, Gladys
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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.
Description
Department of English & Linguistics Department, 73p. The P 99.4 .S62N56 2011
Keywords
Semiotics --Social aspects --Kenya --Githurai, Semiotics --Religious aspects --Pentecostal church