Signs in cities:the discursive production and commodification of urban spaces

Papen, Uta (2015) Signs in cities:the discursive production and commodification of urban spaces. Sociolinguistic Studies, 9 (1). pp. 1-26. ISSN 1750-8649

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Abstract

The analysis of signs in cities is known as research into ‘linguistic landscapes’. Following Jaworski and Thurlow (2010), this paper focuses on ‘semiotic’ not linguistic landscapes. I argue that visual images and visual aspects of writing such as font or colour are essential for the meanings conveyed on signs. As an example, I examine the semiotic landscape of parts of Prenzlauer Berg, a neighbourhood of the former East Berlin. Neglected in the 1980s, after reunification, this originally working class area became middle class and trendy, popular for its shops, cafes and arts culture. Using multimodal and ethnographic methods, my paper reveals the important role commercial signs and street art play in the discursive re-construction of this gentrified neighbourhood. Both contribute to the area’s commercialization and aestheticization. My paper also illustrates how semiotic landscapes contribute to placemaking and the commodification of urban spaces. The combination of multimodal analysis with interviews with sign authors allowed for insights into the reasons specific semiotic choices were made, adding to our understanding of discourse production by revealing intended meanings which were not identifiable based on text analysis alone.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Sociolinguistic Studies
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1200
Subjects:
?? SIGNS BERLINMULTIMODAL ANALYSISGRAFFITISTREET ARTSEMIOTIC PRACTICEDISCOURSESPSYCHOLOGY(ALL)LINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGESOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCESOCIAL SCIENCES(ALL)ARTS AND HUMANITIES(ALL) ??
ID Code:
73621
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
18 Jun 2015 04:57
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
22 Sep 2023 00:16