Master’s Degree Awarded to Ms. Samar Ali Mohammed Humaid in Arabic Literature and Criticism

Ms.Samar Ali Mohammed Humaidwas awardeda Master’s Degree in Arabic Literature and Criticismwith an average of Excellent and a grade of (95)for her thesis titled: The Semiotics of Isotopy and Contrast in the Poetry of Al-Fudhool,which was submitted to the Department of Arabic Language, Faculty of Languages – Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Saturday, December6, 2025.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

The study aimedto explore the latent meanings of Al-Fudhool’spoetic texts, uncover their semiotic codes, and delve into the depth of their significations. It approached these poems as symbolically inscribed narratives reflecting Al-Fudhool’spersonal trajectory, encapsulating themes of love, homeland, and the aspiration for freedom, as shaped by the simplicity and aesthetics of his native environment.

The study yielded a number of key findings summarized as follows:

• Isotopy in Al-Fudhool’spoetry emerged as a salient phenomenon warranting a semiotic approach, which uncovered hidden signifiers embedded within the poet’s structural use of language.
• Phonetic isotopy and its semiotic dimensions were shown to arise through repetition, harmony, and the deliberate insistence on particular sounds, words, or phrases, reflecting a psychological dimension closely tied to the poet’s inner state.
• Contrast was established as a semiotic technique capable of conveying indicative meaning, with phonetic contrast forming a system of signs that contributes to textual identity, whereby sounds transform into symbols imbued with emotional and cultural significance.
• Al-Fudhool’spoetry was found to integrate binary oppositions, generating a network of signs and themes such as homeland/exile, life/death, and light/darkness.
• Al-Fudhool’spoetic legacy was affirmed as rich, fertile, and enigmatic, worthy of continued exploration and interpretive engagement.

In light of these findings, the researcher recommended:

• Expanding the application of semiotic studies to Yemeni poetry to uncover patterns of isotopy and contrast across multiple textual levels.
• Employing modern semiotic theories and advanced analytical frameworks to derive deeper and more complex insights into textual phenomena, with particular emphasis on manifestations of isotopy and contrast.
• Encouraging continued scholarly engagement with Al-Fudhool’spoetry as a profound literary corpus that merits sustained critical exploration.

The defense session was attended by a number of academics, researchers, students, colleagues, and the researcher’s family.