Language use on road signs in Switzerland : multilingual, bilingual or Swinglish

Date
2010-03
Authors
Fortuin, Sherlock
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
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 present day, 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.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Philosophy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
Traffic signs and signals -- Switzerland, Road signs -- Switzerland -- Interpretation, Traffic signs and signals -- Switzerland --Interpretation, Dissertations -- Philosophy, Theses -- Philosophy
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