The Position of Audio Narrating in Radio Drama

Audio narrating is an element for storytelling in which it brings radio drama into life by using non-verbal sign sounds. The goal of this research is to understand the why & how of audio narrating and its application in radio drama. Audio narrating - due to being closer to expressive forms – enhances the radio drama and makes it more global. In the present research with a semiotic methodology and by using the “Hero’s Journey” archetype suggested by Christopher Vogler, 5 drama pieces namely: “Life…and Nothing More”, “Earth’s Future”, “Iraj Legend”, “Aqua Alta” & “Elegy”, have been analyzed. By categorizing music codes, effects, silence, editing, and the manner of uttering speech in the aforementioned dramas, the research tries to survey each sound image and its interrelation with other signs. The findings of the research recount that organizing a complete story (based on Vogler’s archetype) becomes feasible without using speech and only by audio narrating. Sound editing in radio dramas can have several functions such as flash-forward, change of a situation, and passage of time. Likewise, music can have narrative functions; it can control the rhythm of narration while building up atmosphere and characters. To provoke suspense, control the rhythm of action and prenominating events in a radio drama can be achieved through silence. Modes of uttering speech can also help to evolve characters and push the story forward while conveying the change of time. Sound effects, too, have narrative functions in radio drama.