An alternative Reading of the Linguistic Landscape: The Case of Almería

Abstract

This study reveals the value of contrasting multiple quantitative variables when describing the presence of languages in the Linguistic Landscape (LL). Validity is sought by starting with an explicit definition of the unit of analysis and then resorting to data collection that comprises, but is not limited to, a classification of actors by type and place, a differentiation between all texts/words and different texts/words, a categorization by domains, and the physical distribution on the support. The analysis provides a description of Spanish in commercial streets of Almería, Spain, and assesses the local status of other languages, with special attention to English. In addition, this study offers an exploratory reading of the texts that evidences how cultural practices and beliefs as well as current historical circumstances become an inherent, subliminal part of the LL.

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