The languages of the divine space: A case study from India

Abstract

This paper aims to present the multilingual signs used in the religious domain of Bihar’s linguistic landscape. Bihar, one of the largest states of India, is located in the eastern part of the country with a population of 104.1 million as per Bihar Population Census (2011). The study investigates the relationship between language and religious identity and shows how different religious groups sharing the same space identify themselves with specific language concerning their religion that is clearly evident through manifestation of diverse languages in their respective holyscapes. A total 114 religious signage are photographed by using diversity sampling method from various religious sites and public roads in Patna, the capital city of Bihar. The findings of the study demonstrate an interesting linguistic diversity in the religious domain of linguistic landscape with the visibility of Hindi, Urdu, English, Punjabi, Arabic and Sanskrit.