Linguistic landscape as a way to reflect the tension between mandated language policies and residents’ language preferences

The case of Kashgar in China

Bibliographic Data

ID8116136
AuthorsJiazhou Yao (0000-0003-0508-9270, Southwest Jiaotong University), Pan Shuai-ying (Kashi University), Shuaiying Pan (School of Foreign Languages, Kashgar University, Kashgar, People’s Republic of China), Xiaohua Zhang (0000-0003-3652-5717, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics), Peng Nie (0000-0002-5322-6324, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume45
Issue6
Pages2252-2268
Publication date2022-03-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0143-4632 • E-ISSN: 1747-7557
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01434632.2022.2046008
OpenAlexW4214881447
LanguageEN
Citations received20
References cited26

Recent linguistic landscape (LL) research has witnessed a change in focus to untypical, peripheral and fluid signs. Compared to typical (or permanent, fixed, etc.) signs which tend to be subject to strong policy intervention, language use on untypical signs is often more autonomous, thus could better reflect the de facto language choice and preferences of local residents. Comparing the linguistic patterns between typical and untypical signs therefore provides a way to investigate the tension between mandated language policies and residents’ language choice. In this study, we adopted the dichotomous terms proposed by Shang, G., and X. Zhou. 2020. “非典型语言景观的类型、特征及研究视角 [Peripheral Linguistic Landscape: Sign Types, Features and Research Perspectives].” 语言战略研究 5 (4): 37–47., namely ‘typical’ and ‘peripheral’, to explore the language use on public signs in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. By comparing typical and peripheral signs in Kashgar, the study found a significant discrepancy: Chinese is prioritised on typical signs due to top-down policy promotion, while Uyghur is used extensively on peripheral signs by local residents. This study demonstrates the importance of analysing peripheral linguistic landscape in strong-policy nations/regions

China · Intervention (counseling · Language policy · Linguistic landscape · Linguistics · Political science · Politics · Promotion (chess · Sociology · Subject (documents · China's Ethnic Minorities and Relations · Computer Science · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Law · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology

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