The Linguistic Landscape of the German-speaking Community of Belgium
LL sign
This study investigates the Linguistic Landscape (LL) within the German-speaking Community of Belgium with a focus on the role of French. Through examining the signs present in the towns of Eupen (north) and Sankt Vith (south), it contrasts the linguistic situation, highlighting differences regarding linguistic dominance of German and attitudes towards the use of French or other languages.
Quantitative analysis consisted of photographing the signs on the main street of each town and found that German was more dominant in Sankt Vith. The qualitative analysis involved comparing similar signs and collecting interview and questionnaire data. Whilst a reason given for using German in Sankt Vith was pride in the language, similar responses in Eupen drew attention to linguistic conflict, which would have otherwise gone unnoticed had only the LL been investigated. The investigation provided an insight into the multilingual situation in East Belgium and suggests that French plays a larger role in Eupen.
Keywords: German-speaking Community, Belgium, Linguistic Landscape, linguistic situation, multilingualism, French, German, code preference, language policy, linguistic conflict, place identity
Hannah Davidson
Tutor, Lecturer and Outreach Officer in Linguistics
I am a Tutor, Lecturer and Outreach Officer in Linguistics at the University of Oxford, a researcher at the University of Reading and Associate Lecturer in German at the Open University.