Abstract:
This study examines Algerian graffiti using a multimodal discourse analysis and explores how this art mediates cultural and linguistic identity in the Kabyle community, namely in the rural walls of Ath Djemhour (Bejaia). The current research aims to interpret and decipher the meaning of both linguistic and visual elements. It also seeks to find the ways Amazigh identity is demonstrated by comparing the interpretations of the participants and those suggested in the visual grammar framework of Kress and Van Leeuween. This qualitative research employed photographs for the corpus and interviews with four local artists. Hence, the visual grammar framework was adopted for the data analysis, relying on its three meta-functions (representational, interactive, and compositional). In addition, a thematic analysis of the interview which enables the artists to address their insights and their perceptions. The results revealed that the members of the Amazigh community tend to use graffiti as a medium to communicate and mediate their identity by illustrating the Amazigh representative colors and symbols. Furthermore, the artistic creations were not used only for aesthetic aims; rather, they addressed various messages about pride, resistance, and identity defense. Finally, the analysis of the participants was distinct from the analysis adopted in the framework, therefore they provided general interpretations regarding the images. That is to say, the artists did not take into consideration all the elements when drawing or writing. The study implied that the creators of graffiti used only French and Tamazight to expose their ideas, focusing exclusively on the tagging style.
