A LINGUISTIC LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS OF PATTAYA, THAILAND’S SIN CITY

Keerati Prasert; Pattamawan Jimarkon Zilli

doi:10.5817/DI2019-1-75

A LINGUISTIC LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS OF PATTAYA, THAILAND’S SIN CITY

Vol.12,No.1(2019)

Keerati Prasert Pattamawan Jimarkon Zilli

https://doi.org/10.5817/DI2019-1-75

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Abstract

Pattaya is one of the most popular tourist destinations attracting international travelers. Given its uniquely cosmopolitan nature, it can be regarded as one of the most multilingual and multicultural areas, making it linguistically stand out from other big cities. This paper, therefore, aims to explore the linguistic landscape of Pattaya’s two main streets by analyzing the data (542 signs) collected from commercial signs. The results present the variation and dominance of the use of languages in those public spaces. By highlighting the differences among the various linguistic landscapes, it draws on the factors of business types and population dominance.

Keywords:
linguistic landscape; Pattaya; sociolinguistics; signs

Author biographies

Keerati Prasert

Division of International Public Relations, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Keerati Prasert works for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. She completed an MA in English for Professional and International Communication from KMUTT, Thailand.

Pattamawan Jimarkon Zilli

Department of English and Linguistics, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, 9 Moo 18 Paholyothin Road, Klong Luang, Rangsit, Pathum thani, Thailand

Pattamawan Jimarkon Zilli is Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics at the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Thailand. Her research interests include sociolinguistic analyses of language texts and discourse practice. She is particularly interested in issues of language and power. She edits the Journal of Studies in the English Language (jSEL).

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