Linguistic Landscape: Investigation of Linguistic Representations of Cape Town

Abstract

Linguistic Landscape (LL) refers to language use on objects in public space. An analysis of LL can uncover social realities and inter-group dynamics that are not readily apparent. The purpose of this study is to review the pertinent literature and to describe the LL of a limited area of Cape Town in terms of 1) Language represented in public space (street signs, commercial signs, and public notices), 2) Source of language selection (Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up), and 3)Type of sign (street, commercial, public notice). The use of English was found to be disproportionately dominant, and multilingualism underrepresented. Implications of this study point to the importance of LL analysis in order to obtain a clear picture of de facto realities of different linguistic communities within a single space.