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Chapter 8. The linguistic landscape of the Raval

Language policy and contextualization
  • José Antonio Jódar-Sánchez
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Abstract

The research presented in this chapter has three purposes. The first purpose is to propose a new taxonomy of the linguistic landscape with two overarching functions, the emblematic and instrumental ones. The second purpose is to show that Google Maps provides no advantage over a physical documentation of signage in synchronic studies. The third purpose is to analyze the mismatch between languages in commercial signage and the languages spoken in stores of the Raval neighborhood and other areas of Ciutat Vella in Barcelona. It is advised that the Llei de política lingüística, or Catalan Language Act, is adapted to contexts of high influx of immigrants to reflect their sociolinguistic reality and to avoid a perception of Catalan as a fossilized language.

Abstract

The research presented in this chapter has three purposes. The first purpose is to propose a new taxonomy of the linguistic landscape with two overarching functions, the emblematic and instrumental ones. The second purpose is to show that Google Maps provides no advantage over a physical documentation of signage in synchronic studies. The third purpose is to analyze the mismatch between languages in commercial signage and the languages spoken in stores of the Raval neighborhood and other areas of Ciutat Vella in Barcelona. It is advised that the Llei de política lingüística, or Catalan Language Act, is adapted to contexts of high influx of immigrants to reflect their sociolinguistic reality and to avoid a perception of Catalan as a fossilized language.

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