A Case Study on Linguistic Landscapes in Guilin, China

Abstract

Language is a tool of communication and linguistics landscape is one kind of language representation that is shown in the advertisement, billboard, direction board, street board etc. Meanwhile, from the aspect of language learning, linguistic landscapes are also a rich choice for studying the different languages in bilingual and multilingual settings. This paper will focus on: (i) landscapes’ linguistic features, (ii) influences of China’s language policy towards linguistic landscapes, (iii) how the historical linguistic landscape are shaped in the light of four investigated areas viz; Jingjiang Wangling (JJWL), Zhengyang Walking Street (ZYWS), Qixing Park (QXP) and Jingjiang Wangfu (JJWF). A total number of 379 photos were collected by using a digital camera in the above mentioned places covering the period of 2nd-6th, March, 2018. The new findings will add fresh perspectives in looking at linguistic landscapes in the investigated areas.