We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 December 2024
This paper aims to study the value of applying the concept of Linguistic Landscape Studies to past landscapes. The concept, which is derived from Sociolinguistics, has been applied to a case-study of the reconstruction of the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia. The results of this case-study as well as the theoretical considerations about the concept are presented here.
The paper shows that by formulating a specific methodology to apply the concept of Linguistic Landscapes to archaeological data, it is possible to recognise a variety of patterns that show the relationship between texts and their spatial location. These patterns show that the population of Ostia continuously modified the Linguistic Landscape to suit their needs, recognising various diachronous patterns.
The research also indicates various limitations that exist in the application of Linguistic Landscapes and the paper sets out various goals for future research further to overcome these, as well as to broaden our knowledge of past Linguistic Landscapes and the role of written texts as material culture.
INTRODUCTION
This paper discusses the value of understanding the role of written texts in its original spatial location in archaeological research. To do this, the methodological and theoretical framework of “Linguistic Landscape Studies” is used in exploratory research into this topic, focusing on its application in a case-study of the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia. The goal of the paper is to show that this relatively unexplored avenue of research yields valuable information on the role of texts as material culture, which allows for new insights into the way that they were related to the landscape and influenced its perception. The paper first introduces the theoretical framework used in the case-study. The bulk of the paper then concerns the case-study itself, which is first introduced through the methodology that was created for it. The analyses and interpretations are then presented, showing the various new insights that are gained by studying written texts as a form of material culture. The limitations are discussed next, followed by a conclusion about the case-study specific and the potential for Linguistic Landscape Studies in archaeology in general. Finally, future directions for research are laid out.
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.
