Affiliation:
1. Guangzhou University , Guangzhou , China
2. Guangzhou Huamei Bond International College , Guangzhou , China
Abstract
Abstract
This study undertakes an investigation into the linguistic landscape of tourism in the tourist areas of Chungking Mansions and its surrounding environs in Hong Kong and intends to reveal similarities and differences in the linguistic signs in the two areas by employing a statistical analysis of a comprehensive database of public signs. The results show that official signs in the two areas prioritize the use of Chinese and English, and Chinese has a marginally higher representation in the surrounding areas. In contrast, private signs in Chungking Mansions exhibit a distinctive linguistic diversity, with over 20 languages represented, and English occupying dominant position, followed by Arabic, Hindi, and other languages. In the surrounding areas, private signs are displayed in eight languages, with Chinese being the predominant code, followed by English, Japanese, Korean, and other languages. It is found that the linguistic landscape of tourism in Hong Kong is diversified, contextualized by historical, political, cultural, and economic factors, and characterized by indexical ordering and ideological implications, and English plays a crucial role in distinguishing Hong Kong from other Chinese cities. In addition, the study offers insights into the complexity and importance of linguistic diversity in the context of tourism and urban development.
Funder
Guangdong Provincial Project of Philosophy and Social Sciences entitled “Language policies and language competence building in Hong Kong and Macao from the perspective of China’s National Security”