A LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF REMI RAJI’S SEA OF MY MIND

Abstract

Appropriate, effective and efficient use of language is the core of any type of communication. Larger constituents of communication are formed by the combination of words which cannot be separated from language. Each word, phrase, clause, sentence and discourse occurs in different structure, level and class, and all hold different meanings and functions which make them uniquely different from one another, especially when they are used in a particular context. Thus, lexico – semantic level of language analysis deals with the study of word and its meaning. This study examines lexico-semantic features of selected poems in Remi Raji’s Sea of my mind and how they have achieved meaning and intended interpretations. Context is considered in analyzing the poems since it is believed that all linguistic expressions are realized from an existing situation and environment. This study adopts Systemic Functional Linguistics as the analytical theory. The data for the study were obtained from Remi Raji’s Sea of my Mind and the lexico-semantic features are presented using quantitative and qualitative methods. It was discovered that the lexis/words in the selected poems were carefully chosen to make meaning and to convey the intention of the poet. The study also gives further evidence that language is a meaning-making resource and that context of situation is important in the understanding and interpretation of literary works