The Social Semiotics of Hasanak the Vizier in Tarikh-i Bayhaqi in Light of Pierre Guiraud’s Theory

Shafiee Esfahani, Fahimeh; Ghoroghi, Zahra

doi:10.30466/jispll.2025.55646.1014

The Social Semiotics of Hasanak the Vizier in Tarikh-i Bayhaqi in Light of Pierre Guiraud’s Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fahimeh Shafiee Esfahani

Zahra Ghoroghi

Department of Persian Language and Literature,, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran.

10.30466/jispll.2025.55646.1014

Abstract

As a significant approach in textual analyses, social semiotics helps writers unveil the hidden layers of the text. The present study examines the implications in the story Hasanak the Vizier in the history book Tarikh-i Bayhaqi in the light of Pierre Guiraud’s social semiotics theory. Therefore, the execution of Hasanak is analyzed at two levels: identity signs and social etiquette signs. As to identity signs, such categories as religion, clothing and occupation were concerned, while the tone of voice and non-verbal communication were the case in social etiquette signs. Findings suggest that religion is an important and key element in the area of identity signs. In fact, in line with the political component in the structure of the study, religion is almost hidden in the story such that the core of the story of Hasanak the Vizier, i.e., the execution of Hasanak is the result of the coordination between the two elements. When it comes to social etiquette signs, a group of characters is in conflict with another group: on the one hand, Abu Sahl Zawzani and the ruler and caliph of Baghdad, on the other hand, Hasanak the Vizier and Khwaja Ahmad Hassan Meymandi and the general public. This unjust rivalry between the two groups resulted in the execution of Hasanak.

Keywords

Social

Hasanak the Vizier

Tarikh-i Bayhaqi

Signs

Social Etiquette