Signs of multilingualism in the urban linguistic landscapes of Fiji and Vanuatu: reflections of national identity. (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Willans, Fiona; Gure, Jim; Koro, Salanieta
• Is Part Of: Social identities. Volume 26:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 475
• Page End: 498
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: Linguistic landscapes -- multilingualism -- national identity -- Fiji -- Vanuatu; Group identity -- Periodicals; Ethnicity -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals; Political sociology -- Periodicals; 302.15
• DOI: 10.1080/13504630.2020.1772742
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4630

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the visibility of different languages within the landscapes of two capital cities, Suva (Fiji) and Port Vila (Vanuatu), as an exploration of symbolic constructions of national identity. Data from digital photographs is analysed from four different angles: the languages that appear to be used to serve and sell to the multilingual public of each city; the languages that are found on top-down official signage; the presence or absence of the indigenous languages of the land from which independent nations have been created; and the fusions of multiple linguistic resources together as signs of a national linguistic hybridity that is meaningful to all.