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Article published In: Linguistic Landscape
Vol. 9:1 (2023) ► pp.36–58

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Legitimization and recontextualization of languages

The imbalance of powers in a multilingual landscape

ORCiD logo with link | University of the Western Cape
 | University of Zambia
Published online: 11 July 2022
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ll.21045.sim
Abstract
We use the uneven distribution of languages in the public spaces of the University of Zambia and the voices and narratives that emerge to argue for legitimization and recontextualization as critical components in the presence and contestations of languages. Using data from interviews and photographs of signage in place, we show legitimization of foreign languages in which English, Japanese, and Chinese forge a place of linguistic contestation and legitimization through control and superiority. We argue for the apparent hegemony of foreign languages and the striking paucity of monolingual signage of indigenous languages as the imbalance of powers. While the former shows the influence of the global in the local, the prospects for the latter continue to diminish as their chances and opportunities as linguistic capital for wider/global communication do not look so favourable. We conclude with the glaring reality of recontextualization as capital for the display of indigenous inclined discourses.
Umusapu
Twabomfya indimi ishishabikwa mumulinganya muncende ya University of Zambia pamo na amashiwi na utusebo tufumamo pakulanda pamafunde yasuminisha na ukucingishiwa nga ifintu ifikankala ilyo indimi shasangwa muncende imo. Ukubomfya amashiwi yafumine mukulanshyanya pamo na ifikope fyandimi shimoneka muncende, twalanga amafunde yasuminishe indimi ishishili shamu Zambia apo apali Icingeleshi, Icijapanizii na Icichainizii isho ishilelwila ukumonekela ukupitila mukuilanga ubukankala na amaaka. Twatila ukuti uku kuibika kwapamulu ukwandimi shishili shamuno caalo ukubikapofye na ukukanasangwa kwandimi shamuno caalo kulanga amaaka yashapelwa mumulinganya. Kucabulanda, ilyo indimi shishili shamuno caalo shileilanga amaaka, ukubomfya kwandimi shamu Zambia kubantu abengi takulemoneka bwino pantu kulebwelela panshi. Twalekelesha na ukucingishiwa nga ishintililo apo indimi shamuno caalo shiminina ngashasangwa muncende.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Contextualising the study: Some critical insights
  • 3.The multilingual contexts of Zambia
  • 4.Material ethnography of Linguistic Landscape and aspects of legitimization and recontextualization
  • 5.Materials and methods
  • 6.Findings and discussions
    • 6.1Exoglossic hegemony: The legitimization of the English language
    • 6.2Chinese and Japanese: Legitimization through relative advantage
    • 6.3The paucity of monolingual signs of indigenous languages
    • 6.4The recontextualization of indigenous inclined discourses
  • 7.Summary and conclusions
  • References
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