Linguistic landscape (LL) research is a recent development in the field of sociolinguistics. The LL is written language in the public space; and the study thereof focuses on the linguistic choices in the LL and the motivations behind these choices. Language in the LL has unique semiotic properties and the LL hence offers a new approach to investigate sociolinguistic themes. The themes most commonly addressed are language policy and linguistic diversity.
As a result of the bidirectional relationship between the LL and society, the LL not only reflects societal changes (informational function), but also shapes society (symbolic function). This is usually by expressing, creating and maintaining power relations and concepts of identity. The drastic transformation in South Africa from apartheid to democracy in 1994 was accompanied by, amongst other changes, the introduction of an innovative language policy, new power relations and changed perceptions of identity. The hypothesis is that these changes will impact on the LL. The LL in Philippolis is investigated with the aim to determine whether these changes indeed influence the LL, and if so, in what manner.
This case study extends LL research to rural areas. Philippolis, although a typical small Free State town, also carries historical significance both in terms of population migrations and the role it played in the early development of the Free State Province. Like many other towns, the three neighbourhoods are still divided according to ethno-linguistic boundaries (white, coloured, and black), a remnant from the segregation policy of the previous regime. These three neighbourhoods constitute the survey area (research sites).
The combined qualitative/quantitative approach includes a triangulated methodology. A complete inventory of the LL of these three sites was compiled on 20 and 21 May 2008. Only signs displaying Afrikaans, English, and/or African languages (533 in total) are considered for the analysis. The data are codified according to agency (top-down and bottom-up initiatives); code preference (by agency and by research site); and multilingualism (combinations of languages). The data are approached by firstly examining the current LL and secondly, by analysing the LL items that can be clearly perceived as either before or after 1994. The research parameters within which the data are interpreted, are agency (by whom is the LL created), readership (for whom the LL is created), and LL dynamics (in the light of the dialectic between the LL and society). The interpretation focuses on the motivations behind the language choices, whether pragmatic or symbolic. The findings are verified against the administrative, demographic and historical background.
The discrepancy between the de jure and de facto language policy, as well as between the demographic census data and the presentation of ethnolinguistic communities in the LL; indicates that certain ideologies are at work. These ideologies are found to centre on language attitudes, power relations, and concepts of identity. The absence of African languages indicates that these languages are stigmatised, whilst the prevalence of English confirms its status as the language of wider communication and of prestige. The white Afrikaans speaking group is still the socio-economically dominant group, but the black population is an emerging socio-political power. It is obvious that they view themselves as such by their choice to associate with English.
This study contributes to the field by expanding research on the LL of South Africa as well as on areas that are considered rural. It furthers the understanding of the transforming, post-apartheid South African society; as well as the sociolinguistic understanding of the relationship between language, and power and identity. It also hopes to contribute to the creation of a consistent methodology for the field.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ufs/oai:etd.uovs.ac.za:etd-11162010-104432 |
| Date | 16 November 2010 |
| Creators | Kotze, Chrismi-Rinda |
| Contributors | Prof LT du Plessis |
| Publisher | University of the Free State |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en-uk |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.uovs.ac.za//theses/available/etd-11162010-104432/restricted/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University Free State or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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