Linguistic Landscape (LL) refers to visible language displayed in public spaces. In my presentation, I will distinguish two types of LL: official LL, as exemplified by street name signs, and unofficial LL, as demonstrated by commercial signage. I will show that in Taiwan until today, official signage reflects language norms and official standards of the post-1949 period and largely excludes non-standard linguistic alternatives such as Southern Min or Hakka. By contrast, commercial signage is marked by a high degree of linguistic and semiotic variation, including the playful utilization of different linguistic resources.
About the lecturer:
Dr. Henning Klöter is Professor of Modern Chinese Languages and Literatures and Executive Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies of the Humboldt University of Berlin. His research interests include multilingualism and society, language planning, Taiwan Studies (language, history, literature), history of Chinese linguistics in Europe, Sinophone Studies, Chinese writing, and Translation Studies.
The Taiwan Matters lecture series has been funded by the Ministry of Education of Taiwan (ROC) through the Taipei Mission in Stockholm, Sweden.