An analysis of linguistic codes in reading 53rd letter of Nahj al-Balagha with an emphasis on Pierre Giraud’s semiotics approach

Texts are always open to interpretation, but the use of codes is a linguistic ability, a branch of semiotics based on literary criticism that offers a different and more active reading of the text. Codes actualize the potential capacities of the text and decoding reveals its latent meanings. The method of this research is descriptive-analytical, with an emphasis on the semiotic approach. Through this approach, an investigation was conducted on the linguistic codes of the 53rd letter of Nahj al-Balagha, based on the theory of Pierre Guiraud. The aim was to determine how Guiraud's linguistic codes were employed in explaining the content of governmental command in this letter and in expressing the relationships between officials and the people. It was finally determined that the linguistic signs of the mentioned letter are the result of the interaction of logical, aesthetic and social codes manifested in three axes; the commander has strong control over the forces under his command; Threatening dangers to a healthy government system; and the divine-human combination of governance. Logical codes in letter include the signs that deal with the human aspects and are clear and objective and are accepted based on human reason and logic and in most cases revolves around justice as a political strategy and a necessary executive plan. The aesthetic codes of the letter in the permitted rhetorical styles, metaphor, irony, and simile express the relationship between literature and art; they have expressed the principles of the relationship between the ruler and the subjects with rhetorical forms. Social codes of the letter, include religion, occupational groups, names, titles and tone of speech.