Linguistic Landscapes (LL) are an area of study concerned with the visible use of language in public spaces (e.g., signage, public notices, billboards). It originates from the field of sociolinguistics and language policy. The frameworks of LLs can be used, for instance, to study how different languages are displayed and hierarchized in multilingual societies.
The funded study aims to quantify multilingualism at two Japanese universities – public Kyoto University and private Doshisha University. The data-driven project represents a re-emerging application of LL concepts in the study of minoritized languages in East Asia, with Japan as a predominantly monolingual society. The study intends to capture the subtle presence of minoritized languages at two public institutions to uncover the mechanisms of minoritization and de facto language policies (unofficial, everyday practices of language use).
During his stay in Japan, Leon Grausam will collaborate with two local researchers to collect and process the data at the universities’ premises. The data will be collected with the help of the open source “Lingscape” tool that allows to capture displays of written language in public spaces through photography. The team will document all kinds of language fragments, including official signage as well as unofficial, disruptive signs (e.g., stickers or flyers).
The overarching goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of language communities in university spaces and examine how different university stakeholders use language to shape the LL. The research team also plans to publish the data after the project is completed, making it accessible and freely usable for everyone.
The study is also designed to serve as a pilot project for a larger-scale study of various public institutions across Japan. The Seed Grant is intended to kick-start an application for external funding by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for said large-scale project all over Japan. In addition, a project with a similar methodology is planned for German universities, starting with the University of Bremen.
Funding recipient:
Leon Grausam, M.A. (Faculty 10 – Linguistics and Literary Studies)
Funding period:
02 March 2026 – 28 April 2026
Are you interested in the DSC Seed Grant?
You can find more information about the DSC Seed Grant here.
For questions, please contact:
Dr. Lena Steinmann
DSC Coordinator
Tel. +49 (421) 218 - 63941
E-Mail: lena.steinmannprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
