Linguistic landscape in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region: the case of a multilingual and multi-ethnic region in China

ABSTRACT

This article focuses on the linguistic landscape of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, investigates factors contributing to this distinctive landscape, and examines its role in maintaining two ethnic languages, Mongolian and Korean. 1046 language signs in three major cities were analysed and 28 interviews were conducted to evaluate interviewee attitudes towards the linguistic landscape. The results indicate that the Inner Mongolian linguistic landscape is one of abundant linguistic diversity, with the majority of signs (61.9%) displaying more than one language; that this landscape is influenced by factors such as language planning, language preferences, economic development needs, and tourist demands; and that Mongolian and Korean have high levels of visibility on both official and private signs. Mongolian and Korean interviewees expressed delight in seeing their ethnic languages displayed and believed that public displays of local languages could help maintain ethnic languages by providing a physical and visual representation of linguistic presence and ethnic identity.

KEYWORDS:

• Linguistic landscape
• Inner Mongolia
• minority languages
• Mongolian
• Korean
• multilingualism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The administrative units in China are currently based on a three-tier system. Hulunbuir, also known as Hulun Buir, is a prefecture-level city in Inner Mongolia, named after Hulun and Buir lakes.

2 Simplified Chinese characters, traditional Chinese characters and Chinese Pinyin were all counted as Chinese.

3 All interviewees are anonymous and randomly numbered from 01-28

4 Regulations on the use of both Mongolian and Chinese in Hohhot were issued in 2001 and abolished in 2021. Regulations on the use of both Mongolian and Chinese in Baotou were issued in 2002 and abolished in 2021.

5 Zabaykalsk is the administrative centre of Zabaykalsky District of Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia. It is situated on the Chinese-Russian border, directly opposite the Chinese border city of Manzhouli.