ABSTRACT
“Language in the public space” refers to all language items that are displayed in a variety of contexts in the environment. The first part of the chapter will address the linguistic items found in the public space, while the second part addresses issues related to language ideology, myths, propaganda and coercion. In terms of language displayed in the public space, it refers to actual language items that are found in streets, shopping centres, schools, markets, offices, hospitals and any other public space (and often private ones, such as homes), for example names of streets, public signs, names of shops, advertisements, documents, newspapers, billboards, verbal as well as non-verbal items such as pictures and images. It is also referred to as language ecology. It is argued here that the presence (or absence) of language displays in the public space communicates a message, intentional or not, conscious or not, that affects, manipulates or imposes de facto language policy and practice. Thus, the presence (or absence) of specific language items, displayed in specific languages, in a specific manner, sends direct and indirect messages with regard to the centrality versus the marginality of certain languages in society. The display of language transmits symbolic messages as to the legitimacy, relevance, priority and standards of languages and the people and groups they represent. The public space is therefore a most relevant arena to serve as a mechanism for creating de facto language policy so that the ideological battles that are taking place in the new nation-state can be turned into practice.
