JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE STUDIES AND ARTS

Semiotics is the study of signs and sign-using behavior, and has been adopted by semioticians under multidisciplinary settings. Linguistic competence foregrounds the diversity of human development, interactions, commerce, tourism and politics. It is a precursor to every meaningful interaction in human activities. Although the internationalization of the English language has been effected and embraced with intentionality to elevate linguistic competence across borders, linguistic barriers remain topical in language discourses. Therefore, the linguistic conundrum appears to validate semiotics as an emerging bridge for the linguistic gap. Within the domain of linguistic gaps and queries, semiotics provides the much-needed interface and platform for the unification of communicative discourses and linguistic diversities. The present study seeks to evaluate and highlight a Semiotic Resource System (SRS) which will provide a coordinated and integrated approach in the communication of indigenous icons, indices and symbols to the non-English speaking immigrants in a manner depictive of the Nigerian social construct, as well as ascertain the applicability of these signs within a heterogenous and multilinguistic Nigeria. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted using structured questionnaires (online and hard copies) for data collection. Data were analyzed using the Semiotic Theory by Ferdinand de Saussure. The findings of the study will go a long way in contributing to the ongoing discourses on the subject of SRS.

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