ABSTRACT
Seemingly mundane road signs are complex entities that can evoke tension. This research examines the effects of signage on two groups of Israeli citizens, native speakers of Arabic and native speakers of English. It examines their attitudes towards the governmental language policy implemented in 2009 to make all signs dominantly Hebrew. All Arabic and English have been transliterated into Hebrew, displayed in Arabic and English orthographies.
The study exemplifies how road signs affect one’s individual and group identity. Due to changes brought about by modernisation, urbanisation, and globalisation, Arabs are experiencing liminality, but remain strongly connected to the land. Changing road signs are perceived as an attempt to manipulate their identity, instil a sense of marginalisation and force them to re-negotiate their status. Native English speakers on the other hand, who immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return and choose to assimilate are relatively unaffected by the same language policy.
