Linguistic diversity and inclusion in Abu Dhabi’s linguistic landscape during the COVID-19 period

Sarah Hopkyns · Melanie van den Hoven

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Multilingual Education and Policy Linguistic and Sociocultural Studies Discourse Analysis and Cultural Communication

Abstract

Abstract In Abu Dhabi, multilingualism amongst its highly diverse population is typical. However, with Arabic as the official language and English as the lingua franca, the population’s other languages are subordinate on public signage. Those proficient in English or Arabic have more access to information than those who are not. While effective communication is important in ordinary times, it is especially vital during a crisis. This study looks at COVID-19 signage in two Abu Dhabi live-work contexts: A beachside community and an industrial site. The study takes an ethnographic approach to linguistic landscaping in which a corpus of 326 top-down and bottom-up signs are investigated in terms of languages used, spacing, prominence and location, as well as intended audience and sociolinguistic implications. Key findings revealed that bottom-up handmade COVID-19 signage was mainly monolingual (English only) and municipality-produced warnings were predominately bilingual (Arabic and English). Despite the multilingual composition of both contexts, only one third language (Korean) appeared on COVID-19 signage. The findings shed light on existing inequalities in linguistically diverse contexts, and the need to ensure access to information for all at a street level. The article concludes with practical suggestions for greater linguistic inclusion in the COVID-19 period and beyond.

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References

2002Servants of Globalization: Women, Migration, and Domestic Work 2012Translingual Practice: Global Englishes and Cosmopolitan Relations 2013Ethnography, Superdiversity and Linguistic Landscapes 2006Linguistic Landscape as Symbolic Construction of the Public Space: The Case of Israel 2016Linguistic Diversity and Social Justice 2012Translingual Practice 2013Ethnography, Superdiversity and Linguistic Landscapes: Chronicles of Complexity 2020Linguistic diversity in a time of crisis: Language challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic

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