Thesis (MPhil (Philosophy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the practice of language use on road signs in Switzerland. The language
used in public spaces constitutes our image of a specific place to a remarkable degree. We are
constantly exposed to signs, whether road signs, advertisements or notifiers. These signs not
only convey information such as “Caution”, “Final sale” or “Speed limit 60 here”, but also
highlight aspects of culture and, where written text appear on them, aspects of the language(s)
used in that area. Language use within the public space enables us to conceptualize, as well as
recognize, the ways in which language use occurs, often (but not always) informing us whether
a country is monolingual, bilingual or multilingual. In addition, these signs also indicate how
language use is linked to other processes such as globalisation, social change and cultural
heritage.
The main purpose of this thesis was to establish how language is used on road signs in presentday,
officially multilingual Switzerland. In this regard, three Swiss cantons (in which bilingual
or multilingual societies are found) were investigated as to the language(s) – or lack thereof –
which appear on their road signs, as well as to the order in which these languages appear.
Specifically, bilingual or multilingual signs, as well as so-called Bildersprache (“picture
language”, in other words on a board or plaque with a picture, symbol or other image on it),
were studied in these cantons. Data for this research consists of photographic material (taken
during visits to the study areas) as well as interview data.
It was found that the social and political identities, as well as the economic interests, of
language groups in a particular area affect the design and placement of road signs in that area.
The results of this study serve as a framework for future research, and the photo material
enables us, to a certain extent, to see how an apparently stable language system (such as the
multilingualism found in Switzerland) encounters changes due to internal and external
influences, but also how creative language can be. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie is die taalgebruik op padtekens in Switserland ondersoek. Die taalgebruik in
openbare plekke vorm tot ’n merkwaardige mate die beeld wat ons van ’n spesifieke plek het.
Ons word konstant blootgestel aan tekens, hetsy padtekens, advertensies of kennisgewings.
Hierdie tekens verskaf nie net inligting soos “Versigtig”, “Finale uitverkoping” of “Spoedgrens
60” nie, maar beklemtoon ook kulturele aspekte en, in daardie gevalle waarin geskrewe teks op
tekens verskyn, ook aspekte van taal/tale wat in die betrokke gebied gebesig word. Taalgebruik
in die openbare ruimte help ons om die wyses waarop taalgebruik voorkom te konseptualiseer
en te herken, en dui gereeld (maar nie altyd nie) vir ons aan of ’n land eentalig, tweetalig of
veeltalig is. Verder gee die tekens ook ’n aanduiding van hoe taalgebruik gekoppel is aan
prosesse soos globalisasie, sosiale verandering en kulturele erfenis.
Die hoof doel van hierdie tesis was om te bepaal hoe taal in die hedendaagse Switzerland op
padtekens gebruik word. Drie Switserse kantons (met tweetalige en veeltalige gemeenskappe) is
in hierdie verband ondersoek in terme van die taal/tale – of die gebrek daaraan – wat op
padtekens verskyn asook die volgorde waarin hierdie tale op die padtekens verskyn. Spesifiek
tweetalige of veeltalige tekens asook sogenaamde Bildersprache (“prentetaal”, met ander
woorde ’n bord met ’n prent, simbool of ander voorstelling daarop) is in hierdie kantons
bestudeer. Die data vir hierdie navorsing bestaan uit fotografiese materiaal (wat verkry is tydens
besoeke aan die studie-areas) sowel as inligting wat verkry is deur onderhoudvoering.
Daar is bevind dat die sosiale en politiese identiteite, sowel as die ekonomiese belange, van
taalgroepe in ’n spesifieke area die ontwerp en plasing van padtekens in daardie area beïnvloed.
Die resultate van hierdie studie dien as ’n raamwerk vir toekomstige navorsing en die
fotomateriaal stel ons tot ’n sekere mate in staat om vas te stel hoe ’n klaarblyklik stabiele
taalsisteem (soos die veeltalige een wat in Switserland aangetref word) veranderinge weens
interne en eksterne invloede kan ervaar, maar ook hoe kreatief taal kan wees.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/5779 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Fortuin, Sherlock |
| Contributors | Southwood, Frenette, University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Philosophy. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 105 p. : ill. (some col) |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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