Abstract
Social semiotics is a branch of semiotics studied by the French linguist Pierre Giraud. He considers semiotics as a science that studies sign systems such as language components and sign systems etc. This research intends to use this approach of social codes to examine the story of BAMBOO STALK by Saud- Al-Sanusi. The finding of the research indicate that social etiquette and identity have an important place in this story. The interpretation of the elements in the story also indicates that the author paid special attention to these signs and mentioned the differences and contrasts of each in the two cultures. It has the country mentioned in the story. Names, nicknames, religious beliefs and beliefs, traditions, jobs, make up and clothing are symbols visible in this text. However the element of identity is more prominent and frequent than other components. This article is done in a comparative analytical way.
Keywords: Social Semiotics, Pierre Bourdieu, Saud Alsanausi, Bamboo Stalk, Identity and
 
Introduction
Literary texts are multilayered and understanding each layer requires contemplating the signs that the author has employed to convey their intentions and objectives. Ferdinand de Saussure, a Swiss linguist, and Charles Sanders Peirce, an American philosopher who lived in roughly the same historical period, are the main founders of what we now call semiotics. Saussure considers semiotics the fundamental science of signs, viewing linguistics as a science relying on semiotics. Semiotics is the systematic study of all factors involved in the production and interpretation of signs, or in the process of meaning-making. This approach unveils the deeper layers of a text, leading to a more profound understanding and purposeful reading. In this methodology, the exchange of information through signs is examined. Social semiotics, a branch of semiotics, has been explored by French linguist Pierre Guiraud. He considers semiotics a science studying sign systems like language, symbols, and signaling systems.
 
Materials and Methods
The present study, focusing on the book The Bamboo Stalk, seeks to examine social semiotics and its components from the perspective of Pierre Giraud. On this basis, and with an analytical-comparative method, the following questions are answered: How are social signs and related elements manifested in the story and what line of thought do they follow? And how has the author presented his opposition or alignment with different viewpoints with regard to social signs? The interpretation of the social components present in the story indicates that the author pays special attention to these signs and mentions the differences and oppositions of each in the culture of the two countries in question in the story. Names, titles, religious beliefs and beliefs, traditions, occupations, and makeup and clothing are among the social codes visible in this text; but the element of identity is more prominent and frequent than other components.
 
Discussion and Result
From Guiraud's perspective, in addition to human relations with nature, individuals live in societies and have dual experiences: objective and subjective. Social communication pertains to relations between humans and, consequently, to the relationship between sender and receiver. Society is a system of relations among individuals with the aim of reproduction, defense, exchange, production, etc. Signs indicate a person's belonging to a social category such as family, profession, association, etc. Rituals, ceremonies, celebrations, fashions, and games are forms of communication through which a person defines themselves within the context of their relationship with a group and the group within its relationship to society. Guiraud sees social codes as a form of societal organization that speaks of humans or groups and their relationships. He views social life as a game in which each individual plays their role. Guiraud divides signs into identity and etiquette signs. Identity signs show an individual's belonging to a social or economic group, including emblems, uniforms, badges, tattoos, and names. Etiquette signs demonstrate a person's belonging to a group or their function, including tone of voice, greetings, insults, mannerisms, and food.
 This study, utilizing this approach, examines the social codes in Saud Alsanausi's novel "The Bamboo Stalk." The story revolves around a boy named Isa, called Jose in the Philippines. His mother, Josephine, from the Philippines, was employed as a maid in the house of a wealthy Kuwaiti family. Over time, she and the family's only son, Rashid, fall in love and secretly marry. When Josephine becomes pregnant and their marriage is revealed to Rashid's family, the family forces Rashid to separate from his wife and child to avoid the scandal of their son's marriage to a servant. They are sent back to the Philippines. Later, Rashid marries a Kuwaiti woman and has a daughter named Khawla. Rashid dies in the Iraq-Kuwait war, and Isa, who has had a tough time living with his grandfather in the Philippines, goes to Kuwait with the help of Rashid's friend, Ghassan. However, his paternal family rejects him, and Isa, unable to consider Kuwait his home, returns to the Philippines disheartened. The semiotic analysis of this work reveals several insights. The author pays special attention to social codes, portraying various social, political, and cultural issues in line with this theory. Additionally, the author depicts the contrasts of poverty and wealth between the Philippines and Kuwait through the main character's observations and monologues. These contrasts are evident in signs such as locations, clothing, and types of food in the two countries. Overall, the findings indicate that etiquette and identity play a significant role in this story. The interpretation of social elements within the story highlights the author's focus on these signs and the depiction of differences and contrasts in the cultures of the two countries involved.
 "Names, titles, religious beliefs and practices, traditions, occupations, and dress codes are some of the observable social codes in this text; but the element of identity is more prominent and frequent compared to other components. It should also be noted that although the main focus of the story is based on identity and the author has addressed this important issue throughout the story; this work, by addressing other social signs and highlighting them, also clearly shows the distinction and difference between the cultures of the two nations."
 
Conclusion
Examining the novel Bamboo Stalk with the approach of social semiotics indicates that the author paid special attention to social codes. That is why it portrays many of the current issues of the society such as social, political and cultural issues according to this theory. On the other hand, the findings of the research indicate that, despite the fact that identity is central to the story and it has been addressed in various places in the story; But by addressing other social signs and highlighting them, the author also shows the distinction and difference between the cultures of the two nations. Names and nicknames, religious ideas and beliefs, traditions, jobs, clothes and make-up are among the codes that are most visible in this novel. In Codes of Identity, we see that the main character is lost in the self-centered identity of being Filipino or Kuwaiti; Similarly, name and nickname, which are subsets of identity, are also one of his concerns, so that he has a different name and nickname in each country, and this is annoying for him. Among social signs, after identity, religion and religious beliefs have the highest frequency. The author brings up the rituals and beliefs of each of the followers of Christianity and Islam on different occasions; Sanausi did not stop at that and in some places he also refers to Buddhism. In addition, Al-Sanausi shows the contrast of poverty and wealth in the two countries of the Philippines and Kuwait in the views and expressions of the main character. This contrast can be seen in signs such as places, clothing and food in the two countries. The manner of expression, social etiquette and occupation are also other social signs that can be seen in the novel Bamboo Stalk. With these reviews, it can be said that Al-Sanausi has included a reflection of elements related to social signs in his novel and has expressed the contrast of culture, economic and social conditions of two nations through the language of the main character of the story (Jesus).