Abstract
The preservation of minority heritage through language is widely recognised as an important means for safeguarding ethnic identity within multicultural settings. This paper investigates the visibility of "heritage language" through the lens of graphic heritage within the distinctive ethnic enclave of London's Chinatown. Located in the City of Westminster, Chinese identity is officially designated on street nameplates that demarcate geographic boundaries as well as depict a shift in the cultural influence of this migrant community. In this study, the visual analysis of 209 retail signs displays 313 instances of language. The research findings indicate the extent of retention of heritage languages within the area, providing the basis for a case study that maps the linguistic codes and spatial distribution of graphic devices. From this, new insights are gained into the design literacy of Chinese migrants in London to provide a framework for thinking about how Chinese ‘designscapes’ have developed worldwide.
Keywords
graphic heritage; linguistic landscapes; chinatown; ethnicity
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.885
Citation
George Harland, R., Hang Pan, A., and Barnes, A. (2024) The heritage language and graphic landscape of London's Chinatown, in Gray, C., Ciliotta Chehade, E., Hekkert, P., Forlano, L., Ciuccarelli, P., Lloyd, P. (eds.), DRS2024: Boston, 23–28 June, Boston, USA. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.885
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The heritage language and graphic landscape of London's Chinatown
The preservation of minority heritage through language is widely recognised as an important means for safeguarding ethnic identity within multicultural settings. This paper investigates the visibility of "heritage language" through the lens of graphic heritage within the distinctive ethnic enclave of London's Chinatown. Located in the City of Westminster, Chinese identity is officially designated on street nameplates that demarcate geographic boundaries as well as depict a shift in the cultural influence of this migrant community. In this study, the visual analysis of 209 retail signs displays 313 instances of language. The research findings indicate the extent of retention of heritage languages within the area, providing the basis for a case study that maps the linguistic codes and spatial distribution of graphic devices. From this, new insights are gained into the design literacy of Chinese migrants in London to provide a framework for thinking about how Chinese ‘designscapes’ have developed worldwide.