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Title LINGUSITIC LANDSCAPE AS SPATIAL PRACTICE: A NEXUS ANALYSIS

Author(s) Turab Hussain

Abstract Lingusitic landscape refers to the use of language in public spaces. In the context of Pakistan, although linguistic landscape (LL) research is not scarce, many studies overlook the crucial connection between LL practices and language policies. Additionally, there is a lack of research exploring the LL of metropolitan cities, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar, from the perspectives of language policies and residents’ perceptions. While English and Urdu dominate the LL, it is essential to examine the extent to which this dominance aligns with broader language policies and local perceptions. Furthermore, the visibility (or invisibility) of emerging linguistic varieties and indigenous languages remains an underexplored area, particularly in terms of policymaking and public reception. This study aims to address these gaps. The current study investigates the linguistic landscape of four metropolitan cities: Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. The research focuses on three interconnected domains, spatial practices, language policies and residents’ perception of languages. A sample of 4000 signs (1000 from each city) was collected from the four cities. The National Education Policy of 2017 document was downloaded from the website of Federal Ministry of Education and 8 focused group discussions (2 from each city) were conducted. Theoretically, the study was informed by Trumper-Hecht’s (2010) Triad Model for Linguistic Landscape and the analytical model ‘Nexus Analysis’ of Scollon and Scollon (2004), presented by Hult (2018), was used for the analysis of data. All signs collected from the survey areas were analyzed to find visibility and invisibility of languages and understand aesthetic features (placement and font size and style) and sociolinguistic features including variety of languages and translation strategies practiced in the linguistic landscape of the cities. The 2017 National Education Policy document and parliamentary media talks were analyzed via thematic analysis to unmask de jure and de facto language policies. Resident’s perception of languages was the third domain of the study. Eight focused group discussions were analyzed via thematic analysis. Finally, nexus analysis was used to connect all three domains of the linguistic landscape with the aim to find connects or disconnects across these three scales. The findings of the study reveal that English holds v a dominant position in the linguistic landscape of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar followed by Urdu, Arabic and Chinese with a limited attention to regional languages. The de jure language policies favor English, Urdu and Arabic. However, the de facto language policies favor regional languages along with Urdu and English. The participants of the study highlighted preference for Urdu as the national language and lingua franca in the context of Pakistan along with the strategic use of English for branding and international communication. The findings of the study confirmed that a strong nexus exists among the three interrelated domains of the LL of the four metropolitan cities. However, challenges emerge regarding regional languages use in the linguistic landscape due to limited linguistic proficiency of the populace. The study accentuates the need for inclusive policies which safeguard linguistic diversity in Pakistan. The study recommends a well-balanced approach to language policies encompassing multilingualism, integrating regional languages in education, advocacy for linguistic diversity and ongoing research to monitor the dynamics of the linguistic landscape.

Type Thesis/Dissertation

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2025-08-11

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