Commercial discourses, gentrification and citizens' protest: the linguistic landscape of Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin

Papen, Uta (2012) Commercial discourses, gentrification and citizens' protest: the linguistic landscape of Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin. Journal of Sociolinguistics, 16 (1). pp. 56-81. ISSN 1360-6441

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Abstract

Since reunification in 1990, Prenzlauer Berg, located in the former East Berlin, has turned from a cheap and neglected area into a popular middle class neighbourhood. The area’s new character is reflected in its linguistic landscape. These days the signs of posh shops and trendy bars adorn its streets. But alternative views are noticeable too. Graffiti is present even on the most expensively refurbished buildings and residents put up slogans to protest against their flats being refurbished and sold to new owners. This case study of the changing graphic environment of Prenzlauer Berg shows that despite the strong influence of commercial discourses the public space remains an area of contestation between civil society and the state. The particular approach to linguistic landscape I developed combines textual and visual analysis with interviews with sign producers. This has enabled me to show how the linguistic landscape both reflects as well as shapes social change and urban development in Berlin since reunification.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Sociolinguistics
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/englishlanguageandlinguistics
Subjects:
?? linguistic landscapeberlin discourses gentrificationenglish language and linguisticslanguage and linguisticshistory and philosophy of sciencephilosophylinguistics and languagesociology and political sciencep philology. linguistics ??
ID Code:
50935
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
09 Nov 2011 18:51
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 12:27