Freeport

Linguistic Landscape LCD 205 Eymi Delgado Kimberly Feldman Stefania Pena

Heubner’s Article  Focus on the way different languages can be mixed in signs in Bangkok.  Sample: The researchers analyzed all signs in the target neighborhoods in Bangkok.  He says that English is known by many Thais in addition to foreigners in Bangkok.  Most signs contained Thai script, but most also had more than one script too.  Having English on a sign gives it more international flavor than just having it in the local language.

Welcome to Freeport, Long Island  More than 45,000 Long Islanders call Freeport home, making this Village the second largest in the State of New York.  

Research Questions  What languages other than English are used in public space in Freeport and how much of each is used?  How does the use of language in environmental print distinguish the north central part (Main Street) of Freeport from the south central part (Atlantic Ave.)?

North Side (Main Street)

South Side (Atlantic Avenue)

Demographics 45 40 35 30 25

2000 2005

20 15 10 5 0

White

Black

Hispanic

Asian

Socioeconomics Less than $25,000- $50,000- $100,000- 150,000 or $25,000 49,999 99,999 149,999 more

15.7%

21.6

34.5

18.4

9.8

Main Street North Side of Freeport

All office buildings had Spanish Speakers available on the North side

Comparison North Side

South Side

Comparison North Side

South Side

Comparison North Side

South Side

Habla español?

South Side Freeport

Findings  This Linguistic landscape highlights the importance and influence of Spanish as a minority language in North Central Freeport, particularly in shop signs.  The linguistic diversity in this project shows the nature of language usage in print for the North side vs. the South side of central Freeport.  It also shows the differences in inhabitants and the consumers from those areas