Linguistic landscaping in changing language regimes – the case of Japan

 Linguistic landscape research deals with language on signs. It is a relatively new research field concerned with problems of multilingualism, language contact, language rights, and language planning. The study of the linguistic landscape casts light on existing language regimes and ongoing transformation processes.
This workshop examines the linguistic landscape of Japan. It brings together various research perspectives, including city and traffic planning, multilingualism research, and economics. The aim of the workshop is to reflect on the growing linguistic diversification of the Japanese society and how this development becomes manifest in the country’s linguistic landscape.