Research Information System
FOLKLOR/EDEBIYAT-FOLKLORE/LITERATURE, no.1, pp.137-156, 2025 (ESCI)
Signs with scripts and images in the public sphere are of interest not only to scholars, but also to a wide range of societies interested in language and culture. Written signs on public spaces therefore a popular object of academic research and discussion. A significant part of what is written contains old-fashioned opinions. As public reactions play an important role in the formation of street signs, people's reactions to street signs are an interesting research topic. However, since the 2000s, a new field of research has emerged that attempts to examine the issue within the framework of certain theories and methods. This research topic, which has become widespread in English sources as a linguistic landscape (LL), can be referred to as dilsel manzara or dilsel g & ouml;r & uuml;n & uuml;m in Turkish. Linguistic landscape is a sub-discipline of sociolinguistics. It focuses on signs with writing and visuals in public spaces, and shows a rapid development by collaborating with different disciplines, but theoretical developments are not reflected in research in Turkey. This article briefly outlines the scope and definition of the field of linguistic landscape. It then examines the theories and methods of linguistic landscape research through examples and emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature and development of the field. In this way, an attempt is made to contribute to the elimination of the theoretical and methodological gap in the field in Turkey. Attempts to formulate findings and theories from different disciplines within an overarching framework are among the hallmarks of linguistic landscape research. The literature in the field is constantly expanding with new theories, ideas, approaches and methodological debates. Researchers are applying innovative methods in the field by combining methods and techniques from different disciplines such as ethnography, anthropology and applied linguistics. It is noteworthy that qualitative and quantitative methods are increasingly used together in publications. Linguists in applied linguistics, sociolinguistics and other disciplines use a variety of methods, including statistical methods, ethnographic research, context and discourse analysis. Data collection tools include digital photographs, videos, audio recordings, face-to-face interviews, standardized questionnaires and participant observation. Different analytical techniques are also extensively utilized. Discussions about the methods of linguistic landscape research often focus on data analysis.