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Linguistic Landscape and Multilingualism

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Language Awareness and Multilingualism

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Language and Education ((ELE))

Abstract

In this chapter, an overview will be provided of the recently emerged field of linguistic landscape studies. Even if this topic has its origins dating back over 40 years, its major development has taken place during the last 10 years. A number of edited books bring together major contributions to the field. Researchers from all over the world have investigated linguistic landscapes in mainly urban environments. The study of linguistic landscapes is multidisciplinary and researchers come from different backgrounds such as sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, linguistics, communication studies, sociology, economics, social geography, landscape architecture, psychology, education, and other disciplines. Important and recurring themes are the spread of English, language policy, and second language acquisition. The field is characterized by a beginning of theoretical development based on existing theories and methodological issues such as the unit of analysis and the dynamic nature of signage. Technological innovations and other external factors including globalization, immigration, the revitalization of minority languages, and tourism will influence the development of linguistic landscape studies in relation to multilingualism. The studies become most meaningful when they concern conflict and contact between languages or social change. Linguistic landscape research can be conceived of as a subfield of sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, or language policy.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge the funding by the Basque Department of Education, Research and Universities for the Donostia Research Group on Multilingualism and Education (DREAM IT-714-13; UFI 11/54).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education Philosophy and Anthropology, University of the Basque, Country UPV/EHU, Tolosa Hiribidea, 70, 20018, Donostia – San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain

    Durk Gorter

  2. Ikerbasque, Tolosa Hiribidea, 70, 20018, Donostia – San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain

    Durk Gorter

  3. University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Anthropology, Donostia – San Sebastián, Spain

    Jasone Cenoz

Authors
  1. Durk Gorter
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  2. Jasone Cenoz
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Durk Gorter or Jasone Cenoz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education Philosophy and Anthropology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Donostia – San Sebastián, Spain

    Jasone Cenoz

  2. Faculty of Education Philosophy and Anthropology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Donostia – San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain

    Durk Gorter

  3. Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Stephen May

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Gorter, D., Cenoz, J. (2017). Linguistic Landscape and Multilingualism. In: Cenoz, J., Gorter, D., May, S. (eds) Language Awareness and Multilingualism. Encyclopedia of Language and Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02240-6_27

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