The Semiotics "Swallow" in the Contemporary Persian and Arabic Poetry

Semiotics is a scientific discipline focused on understanding the fundamental principles of signs and indications. This concept is considered one of the prominent theories in logic. The main focus of semiotics is to explain what semiotics entails. The deviation of explicit signification and the provision of an implicit interpretation or image of a sign represent the most significant function of semiotics. Following this, we explore the symbol of the the contemporary poetry of several Arabic and Persian poets. In the meantime, we have selected a sample of contemporary poems by prominent poets from Arabic and Persian literature as the scope of this research. This study, conducted using a descriptive-analytical method, examines both contemporary Arabic and Persian poetry to explore the implicit semantic meanings of "swallow" as a symbol. For this purpose, we aim to analyze the new signs associated with "swallow" as a symbol and reveal the positive and negative aspects and factors that have shaped these signs in the poems of contemporary Arabic and Persian poets. Therefore, the actual present research includes both positive and negative implications of the swallow. However, the research findings show that this bird plays an essential role in expressing poets' social and personal concerns and has conveyed such implications as freedom, repatriation, and fertility through thr "swallow" sign. In the following use of the swallow symbol, poets exhibit a more positive attitude than a negative one, which is reflected in their poems. 
Introduction:
Semiotics is a prominent concept in linguistics that studies systems of symbols, signs, and allusions, aiming to uncover the hidden symbolic meanings behind them. Semiotic theory encompasses various approaches and perspectives from semiotic, structuralist, and poststructuralist thinkers who share a particular stance on the science of signs. Semiotics is a profound field of knowledge grounded in principles rooted in disciplines such as philosophy, logic, sociology, and linguistics. Each of these sciences has played a significant role in introducing this knowledge and its impact on other fields, which is why today we observe considerable interest among researchers in semiotic studies. Notably, the word itself serves as a fundamental link between the signifier and the signified. A sign can convey a wide range of meanings. Some semioticians, such as Ferdinand de Saussure, consider the relationship between the signifier and the signified to be fixed—that is, a signifier is always associated with a specific signified for which it has been designated and intended. However, the emergence of insightful perspectives in this field has marked a new chapter for the science of semiotics, liberating it from the framework established by traditional semioticians and offering a fresh outlook. This article explores "swallow" as a symbol in the poetry of contemporary Iranian and Arab poets, uncovering the semantic layers of this symbol and providing an interpretative analysis. In the meantime, we have attempted to organize the research axes in accordance with the objectives concerning the positive and negative semantic meanings of "swallow" as a symbol. This approach will allow us to ultimately examine both the explicit meanings derived from this symbol and its implicit meanings within the poets' works.
Method:
In this study, the symbol of "swallow" is examined in the poetry of selected contemporary Persian and Arabic poets. Examples have been chosen from prominent Arab and Iranian poets to serve as the focus of our analysis. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method and draws on semiotic theory to examine the relationship between contemporary Persian and Arabic poetry. It aims to uncover the implicit semantic meanings associated with the symbol of "swallow". For this purpose, the study aims to examine the new signifiers associated with the symbol of "swallow" and to uncover both the positive and negative aspects of these symbols, as well as the factors that shaped them in the poetry of contemporary Persian and Arabic poets. Therefore, the present study focuses on the positive and negative connotations of "swallow" as a symbol.
Results and Discussion:
Swallow is a symbol of return. This symbol has appeared in the poems of contemporary Persian and Arabic poets, paying attention to the emotional, social, and political factors of each poet. For example, in the poem by Houshang Ebtehaj, the word "swallow" contains a sign worthy of contemplation. Sadness and longing dominate this poem. Ebtehaj begins the first stanza of this poem by addressing his old acquaintance (Arghawan) and until the end of the poem, he laments the times and social conditions and the state he is in. In fact, the poet is looking for the spring of freedom, but this spring has a price, and the price is nothing but the blood of swallows. Swallow is the messenger of spring and fertility: The poems of contemporary Arab poets have not been left without this symbol and, in parallel with Persian poets, they have mentioned the "swallow" as a sign of spring, including the prominent Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, who considers the "swallow" a sign of the lost spring. He is in dire need of a spring that brought birth and fertility to his people. Swallow, the messenger of freedom: This symbol is reflected in a poem by Mehdi Akhavan Sales. The poet sends his bitter, sad, and sighing poem flying with the swallows in the hope of freedom of expression. Swallow, the symbol of hope: The Iraqi poet Abdul Wahab Al-Bayati uses this symbol of the swallow as part of this hope and promises the hope of returning. By using the plural pronoun in the poem, the poet introduces himself as one of the Palestinians and considers their wish for return as his own wish.
Conclusion:
The study of the symbol "swallow" in the poems of contemporary Persian and Arabic poets from a semiotic perspective has yielded clear results, including the finding that "swallow" as a symbol plays a pivotal role in conveying the thoughts and views of these poets. In addition, this symbol can be seen as a reflection of the concerns of Persian and Arabic poets regarding various national, political, social, and emotional issues. They have interpreted the swallow with multiple symbols and connotations, depending on the era in which they lived and the circumstances they faced. Spring, fertility, and the theme of return are two significant and recurring symbols in contemporary Persian and Arabic poetry. Despite differences in language and style, these motifs consistently appear in their works, with the concept of "return" being particularly prominent among Arab poets. This level of benefit stems from the harsh living conditions endured by poets who were constantly harassed, exiled, and lived in exile to preserve national values and defend their homeland. Idealistic poets, who continually strived for the ideal city, employed the symbol of swallow in their poems. This symbol carries connotations such as spring and fertility, hope and desire, as well as migration and separation, serving as implicit meanings within their work. Poets, influenced by societal factors and events, have used the symbol of the swallow to create a hopeful framework for the reader. By interpreting the various symbols of the swallow in their poems, we conclude that they have represented exile, hostility, exile, disorder, occupation, and other forms of suffering and turmoil through positive and hopeful signs and connotations, while giving less emphasis to negative aspects.