Planning the linguistic landscape: a comparative survey of the use of minority languages in the road signage of Norway, Scotland and Italy
dc.contributor.advisor
Kruse, Arne
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dc.contributor.advisor
McLeod, Wilson
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dc.contributor.author
Puzey, Guy
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dc.contributor.sponsor
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
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dc.contributor.sponsor
University of Edinburgh
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dc.date.accessioned
2007-12-13T15:24:37Z
dc.date.available
2007-12-13T15:24:37Z
dc.date.issued
2008-06-26
dc.description.abstract
This dissertation explores the controversial nature of current policies on the use of
minority language place-names on official signage in Norway, Scotland and in Italy.
Following a survey of recent developments in the study of multilingual
environmental text and an analysis of the functions of place-names, these
controversies are investigated in detail, with reference to legislation and reactions
from the public and the media. The formats of the signs themselves are also the
subject of close examination.
Selected municipalities in northern Norway have, in recent years, erected
signs in Sámi and Kven, but some of these signs have been a target for vandals. In
Italy, the Lega Nord (Northern League), a right-wing separatist party, has long
campaigned for dialect place-names to appear on signs. New regulations now allow
this, but it remains a contentious topic. Meanwhile, in Scotland, the recent
introduction of bilingual Gaelic and English signs in areas that previously only had
English signs is considered by some to be costly tokenism.
The principal function of road signs is to direct travellers, however they can
also act as markers of boundaries, including linguistic boundaries. In addition, signs
provide visual evidence of place-names in the landscape. The study of place-names
on signs is still developing, but such investigations can shed new light on the
symbolic importance of place-names for identity.
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5909985 bytes
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6644736 bytes
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dc.format.mimetype
application/pdf
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application/msword
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dc.identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/1842/2118
dc.language.iso
en
dc.subject
Linguistic minorities
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dc.subject
Toponymy
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dc.subject
Geographical Names
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dc.subject
Language policy
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dc.subject
Signs and signboards
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dc.subject
Sami
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dc.subject
Gaelic
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dc.subject
Italian language
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dc.subject
Language - Political aspects
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dc.subject
Lega nord
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dc.title
Planning the linguistic landscape: a comparative survey of the use of minority languages in the road signage of Norway, Scotland and Italy
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dc.type
Thesis or Dissertation
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dc.type.qualificationlevel
Masters
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dc.type.qualificationname
MSc(R) Master of Science by Research
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