Linguistic Landscape in Sidoarjo City

Zakiyatul Fakhiroh,Zuliati Rohmah

doi:10.15642/nobel.2018.9.2.96-116

Zakiyatul Fakhiroh, Zuliati Rohmah

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15642/nobel.2018.9.2.96-116

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Abstract

Linguistic landscape research has been administered in different parts of the world by several researchers. However, linguistic landscape research in Indonesia is still limited in number. To respond to the scarcity of linguistic landscape study in Indonesia, the present research discusses the visible languages, proportions of top-down and bottom-up signs in Sidoarjo City. The functions of the signs are also identified.Data were collected from signs in some public places and along the main streets of Sidoarjo City.The results of the study show that the linguistic landscape is dominated by Indonesian. English is used more often than Arabic. Javanese as the mother tongue for the majority of the society of Sidoarjo is rarely used. Some other Asian languages are also apparent in the shopping centers. Description and explanation of the functions of the signs are also presented.

Highlights

Linguistic landscape, (LL), as a relatively new approach in linguistics, describes the choice of language in public signs in urban spaces; and it portrays signage that represents natural scenery (Backhaus, 2007; Gorter, 2006)
The term linguistic landscape was firstly introduced by Landry and Bourhis (1997) stating as follows: “The language of public road signs, advertising billboards, street names, place names, commercial shop signs, and public signs on government buildings combines to form the linguistic landscape of a given territory, region, or urban agglomeration” (p. 25)
The pie chart above indicates that Indonesian language constitutes the biggest element of LL in Sidoarjo City

Summary

Introduction

Linguistic landscape, (LL), as a relatively new approach in linguistics, describes the choice of language in public signs in urban spaces; and it portrays signage that represents natural scenery (Backhaus, 2007; Gorter, 2006). The term linguistic landscape was firstly introduced by Landry and Bourhis (1997) stating as follows:. “The language of public road signs, advertising billboards, street names, place names, commercial shop signs, and public signs on government buildings combines to form the linguistic landscape of a given territory, region, or urban agglomeration” Studies on LL have been conducted in NOBEL: Journal of Literature and Language Teaching Volume 9, No 2, September 2018, p-ISSN 2087-0698 e-ISSN 2549-2470; 96-116 different parts of the world (see, for example, Landry & Bourhis, 1997; Gorter, 2007; Lawrence, 2012; Mahajneh & Shohamy, 2012; Said & Rohmah, in press)

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