Multilingualism and Mobility: A Linguistic Landscape Analysis of Three Neighbourhoods in Malmö, Sweden
Author
Summary, in English
This master’s thesis, through the use of linguistic landscape analysis, examines three neighbourhoods in the city of Malmö, Sweden (Västra Hamnen, Möllevången and Rosengård), in order to investigate how multilingualism, specifically as a consequence of globalization, is negotiated within public space. Physical text in public space works both to reflect and reinforce wider social processes and provides insight into the way that a particular space is structured socially. Through the examination of storefronts in each of these neighbourhoods, playing close attention to each space’s historical background, this thesis aims to establish how the mobility of language afforded by globalization manifests in the linguistic landscape and how, in turn, language works as a tool for individuals in these spaces to assert themselves (actively or passively) in response to the forces of globalization. Results of this analysis show that multilingualism holds a high value within the linguistic landscape of Malmö, Sweden. Furthermore, that multilingualism is used in order to provide each neighbourhood with a unique sense of place.
Department/s
- Master's Programme: Language and Linguistics
Publishing year
2016
Language
English
Full text
Document type
Student publication for Master's degree (two years)
Topic
- Languages and Literatures
Keywords
- linguistic landscape analysis
- language & public space
- globalization
- sociolinguistics
- Malmö
- Sweden.
Supervisor
- Francis Hult (Docent)