The communicative functions of epitaphs in the linguistic landscape of Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), Philippines

Bibliographic Data

ID15081942
AuthorsNicko Enrique L Manalastas (0000-0001-7778-7225, University of the Philippines Diliman, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume29
Issue4
Pages921-958
Publication date2024-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMortality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1357-6275 • E-ISSN: 1469-9885
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13576275.2023.2268539
OpenAlexW4387879525
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited11

The study of Philippine cemeteries has been traditionally placed within the purview of archaeology, which, broadly speaking, places importance in its material cultures. To further broaden our knowledge about these sites, this paper explores how Philippine cemeteries, particularly Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB), generate meaning through their linguistic landscape (LL). Using place semiotics approach and indexicality, this study identifies seven communicative functions used in LNMB epitaphs: (1) affective, (2) associative, (3) celebrative, (4) memorative, (6) desiderative, and (7) summative. In doing so, this study not only treats public signs as communicative 'actors' which convey meaning and pragmatic function but it also analyzes the act of 'engaging' with epitaphs as a highly contextualised speech event. Finally, this study argues that epitaphs signify discourses of memory, remembrance, and patriotism and index sociocultural and political realities, all of which contribute to the creation of LNMB not only as a cemetery per se but also as a place of experience and embodiment

Geography · Linguistic landscape · Linguistics · Sociology · Communication · History · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Linguistics, Language Diversity, and Identity · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOI