Body language in old Anatolian Turkish texts: A semiotic approach based on the masnavis "Yûsuf u Zelîhâ" and "Süheyl ü Nevbahâr"

This study analyzes the masnavis Yûsuf u Zelîhâ by Şeyyâd Hamza and Süheyl ü Nevbahâr by Hoca Mesûd, which are 14th century works of the Old Anatolian Turkish period, in the context of body language from a semiotic perspective. The primary aim of the study is to demonstrate the viability of examining body language in literary narratives, more specifically in the masnavis, and to assert that the body language data can be effectively analyzed using Charles Sanders Peirce's "Second Trichotomy" model. The introduction section outlines the study's purpose, significance of the study, methodology and limitations. Each of the samples is discussed under the subheadings of general information, subject, summary and evaluation of the literature. The study is divided into two main sections. The first section establishes the conceptual and theoretical framework. It addresses the definition, classification, importance, functions and dimensions of body language; explores the definition of sign and semiotics, the history of semiotics, the pioneering approaches to semiotics; and provides an overview of the Peirce's "Second Trichotomy" model, as the foundational framework of the study. Furthermore, the basis for analyzing literary texts in the context of body language and semiotics is put forward within the first section. The second section comprises the analysis of the data. Within the masnavis of Yûsuf u Zelîhâ and Süheyl ü Nevbahâr, data pertaining to body language have been categorized and analyzed according to Peirce's "Second Trichotomy" model, which delineates three classifications: "Indexical Signs", "Iconic Signs" and "Symbolic Signs". The characteristics of all three types of signs are identified within the domain of body language. In the conclusion section of the study, the identified data pertaining to body language in the masnavis of Yûsuf u Zelîhâ and Süheyl ü Nevbahâr are presented. The specific instances and characteristics encountered are evaluated, and based on these findings, recommendations for future research are proposed. It is anticipated that the characteristics related to body language identified from the masnavis wthin the context of the index, icon and symbol types of signs in Peirce's "Second Trichotomy" model may potentially be applicable to general and specific body language studies, beyond the realm of literary texts.