Analysis of the Linguistic Landscape of Signboards in Japan (A Semiotic Study)

Abstract

Language is a marker of social changes occurring in society. Plus, there is an attitude of prescriptivism, namely glorifying language considered more modern, causing the emergence of name plates using English which are then written in katakana, the number of which continues to increase. The linguistic landscapes view cities as texts. This means that language is widely used in public spaces in urban areas. Landscape linguistics is the presence of language between spaces and places. The research is interdisciplinary due to various language presence issues that interact with the language of others in public spaces. Other than issues, there is beautification function on sign board as a communication tool. Thus, the question for the discussion is how beautification function is work on store sign board?  The method used is qualitative research. Research plan using the linguistic landscape theory model of Landry & Bourhis (1997). Two linguistic functions of the landscape were found: informational and symbolic. This research describes landscape phenomena linguistics in Nagasaki prefecture, and Okita Prefecture which will be studied semiotically. Looking the beautification function on Japanese sign board, the discussion shows the aesthetics tool on the Japanese sign boards at Nagasaki prefecture, and Okita Prefecture, used color, and font size to draw attraction from passing people. The esthetic itself from choose color background, such as yellow, red-white, pink, and black.