JORAS - Nigerian Journal of Religion and Society

Semantics is a major branch of linguistics devoted to the study of Meaning in language (Crystal, 1999:310). Meaning is so important in understanding linguistic features which indeed occupies a significant position in human language. Without Meaning it is difficult to comprehend verbal and non-verbal messages. It is the Meaning that leads the flow of discussion in all aspects of linguistics and literary studies. My aim in this essay is to explore 'celibacy' and 'virginity' with a view to seeing how its dynamics can explain its meaning and how its meaning forms an enabler that empowers us to give due expression to those unique divine gifts. Often in Nigeria, official forms are presented to me to fill in the dotted lines with the titles of 'Mr.' 'Mrs.' 'Dr.' Married, Single or things like that but never the title 'celibacy,' or 'virginity' simply because there is no title like that in an official Nigerian form. Whenever I fill in Celibacy, there are always questions and reactions in this regard. To some I explain; to others I leave it for them to find out themselves. But whichever way I handled it, it is obvious that neither 'celibacy' nor 'virginity' is a common vocabulary to the Nigerian public. It is against this backdrop that this essay searches for the fulfillment of the quest.

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