Language choice and identity in the linguistic landscape of Barcelona

ABSTRACT

The present research examines the linguistic landscape (LL) of two demographically distinct neighborhoods in Barcelona: Vila de Gràcia and El Barri Gòtic. The aim of this study is to analyze how language choice among Catalan, Castilian, and English indexes collective and individual aspects of identity in written messages on public walls. All transgressive artifacts in both communities were documented, and the language(s) and theme of each message were systematically coded. A qualitative content analysis complemented this quantitative coding scheme. While the Catalan-dominant Vila de Gràcia had a significantly higher representation of Catalan in its LL, the thematic repertoire of Catalan artifacts between the two neighborhoods was largely similar. Castilian and English artifacts showed thematic representation patterns that were distinct from Catalan, but parallel to each other. Language-theme relationships in the data indicate that Catalan is more prevalent in messages pertaining to society or community, whereas Castilian and English are preferred for intimate themes of a sentimental or rebellious nature. The LL data shed light on the evolution of language ideologies in the tense socio-political climate of Barcelona in the years following Catalonia's controversial 2017 independence referendum.

KEYWORDS:

• Linguistic landscape
• Catalonia
• identity
• language choice
• Catalan

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Throughout this paper, “Castilian” is used to refer to the Spanish language, as it is generally known as such in the Iberian Peninsula. “Spanish” is used as an adjectival form related to Spain as a state.

2 The Music and Other themes were excluded from this analysis due to ambiguity surrounding a societal versus intimate classification.