Blurb:

In Chapter 4, The linguistic landscape, we discuss the linguistic landscape as an environment where public displays, that incorporate language, act and function as a form of sign. The visible use of language on signs in the public environment constitutes the linguistic landscape of a place. We examine the functions of linguistic landscape as supporting cultural identity and providing important identity markers of communities. As signs in the linguistic landscape consist of a mix of visual and textual elements, we explore the linguistic and visual structures within the realm of visual communication and visual semiotics. People inhabit this human linguistic landscape in time and space. Language on these public signs is a specific type of language use which is distinct from other forms of written and spoken communication. We include a case study on the linguistic landscape and cultural identity.