Linguistic Landscape of Soi Nananua and Soi Ekamai

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate and compare the linguistic landscape of Soi. Sukhumvit 3 (Nana) and Soi. Sukhumvit 63 (Ekamai) in the fold of multilingualism and multiculturalism. The analysis was conducted by using 200 photos of visual signs: 100 Sukhumvit 3 (Nananua) and another 100 from Soi. Sukhumvit 63 (Ekamai). The analysis was based upon conceptual frameworks developed by Landry and Bourhis (1997). The findings found that there were 4 patterns of multilingual signs: signs with 1 language, 2 languages, 3 languages and 5 languages. The highest number among 4 patterns of multilingual signs was the sign with 1 language both Soi. Sukhumvit 3 (Nana) and Soi. Sukhumvit 63 (Ekamai). For the number of them, there were 41 and 50 signs, respectively. Interestingly, a sign with 5 languages was found at Soi. Sukhumvit 63 (Ekamai). Regarding the size of the alphabets, most of the English alphabets were quite large and eye-catching when compared with others. Moreover, all of the signs were classified by their types of business. The signs of restaurants were found in the highest number in both Soi. Sukhumvit 3 (Nana) and also Soi. Sukhumvit 63 (Ekamai), followed by the number of hotel signs. Regarding multiculturalism, findings revealed three outstanding issues that were reflected from the study of linguistic landscape: orthography and mimicry, pets as a part of family and transliteration of culture words. The findings will benefit research in the field of multilingualism.