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This paper explores the linguistic landscape (LL) of a multi-ethnolinguistic city in China, namely Shangri-La City, where Tibetan, Han (Mandarin Chinese), English and several other minority languages are used. As one of the most well-known Chinese tourist cities by Western travellers, a city with rapid socioeconomic development, and a city that issued a signage policy recently, the LL of Shangri-La is affected by multiple factors (e.g. tourism, globalisation, language policy). In light of this, the study purposefully examines the LL of four different functional areas of the city, including a local community, a central administrative street, a tourist spot and a commercial street, to demonstrate different factors and their degree of influence on local LL. Data includes 1,064 signage photos and 53 interviews with government officials and sign-owners. The findings indicate that although the recent signage policy has increased the presence of Tibetan, it has also re-consolidated the existing linguistic hierarchy and further marginalised other minority languages in the region. The findings also reveal the negative views of local residents on the abuse of Tibetan in tourist domains. As such, a critical lens on the commodification of minority languages in tourism is proposed in the study.

This paper focuses on the linguistic landscape (LL) of four towns along the rural-urban line in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, which is located in southwest China and is the main residence of the Yi ethnic minority group. In recent years, the status of the Yi language has been challenged by Han (Chinese Mandarin) and English both in the field of education and general society in Liangshan. Recognising this, the local government has issued a range of policies to revitalise the Yi language, including ensuring its use on public signage. The aim of this study is to explore the LL of Liangshan, which has not been looked at before, and the actual implementation of these signage policies. 1497 language signs were analysed, including commercial signs, government signs and public signs in four schools. The findings indicate that the visibility of the Yi language on public signage is closely related to the intensity of policy support. However, in order to make signage policies effective, a holistic approach is in need at both prefectural and regional levels, and in 'micro spaces' such as education spheres and workplaces.

In order to distinguish between language-related ideologies, Ruiz (1984) proposed three language orientations, namely 'language-as-problem', 'language-as-right' and 'language-as-resource'. Although this typology has been applied to various countries and regions around the globe, relevant research in China, a multi-ethnolinguistic country, remains limited. Through a review of China's minority language policies and relevant literature, this paper explores the application of Ruiz's theory to the context of China and proposes two possible directions which can complement this theory. Firstly, the study found that there are different layers, complexities, and even contradictions under a broad/unified language orientation, and that minority languages can be simultaneously positioned as a 'right', a 'resource' and a 'problem'. Secondly, by investigating a particular ethnic minority language (the Nuosu Yi language), the study found that the written (literacy) and spoken (oracy) skills of the language can be positioned differently in language-in-education policies and practices. We therefore propose that a critical 'biliteracy continua' lens (Hornberger 2004) can provide further analytical nuance to the language orientations put forward by Ruiz (1984). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent linguistic landscape (LL) research has witnessed a change in focus to untypical, peripheral and fluid signs. Compared to typical (or permanent, fixed, etc.) signs which tend to be subject to strong policy intervention, language use on untypical signs is often more autonomous, thus could better reflect the de facto language choice and preferences of local residents. Comparing the linguistic patterns between typical and untypical signs therefore provides a way to investigate the tension between mandated language policies and residents' language choice. In this study, we adopted the dichotomous terms proposed by Shang, G., and X. Zhou. 2020. "非典型语言景观的类型、特征及研究视角 [Peripheral Linguistic Landscape: Sign Types, Features and Research Perspectives]." 语言战略研究 5 (4): 37–47., namely 'typical' and 'peripheral', to explore the language use on public signs in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. By comparing typical and peripheral signs in Kashgar, the study found a significant discrepancy: Chinese is prioritised on typical signs due to top-down policy promotion, while Uyghur is used extensively on peripheral signs by local residents. This study demonstrates the importance of analysing peripheral linguistic landscape in strong-policy nations/regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adopts a mixed research method to explore the language shift of secondary Yi students in Liangshan through their language choices and motivations in different discursive contexts. Yi students in this study provides a unique setting to examine language shift in languages and dialects at the same time, as they speak an ethnic minority mother tongue (Nuosu Yi), a local dialect of Mandarin (Southwestern Mandarin), and Mandarin in their daily interactions. Likert-type responses about language use in the context of Family, Friend, and Society were elicited from 353 students through questionnaires, followed by 23 interviews which explored the motivations behind the language choices. Findings revealed that although Nuosu Yi remained a prevalent language in Yi students’ daily life, its use was primarily limited to private conversations with friends and family members. In addition, there was an evident increased use of Mandarin in Yi students’ peer communication compared to intergenerational conversations, which can be taken as a sign for language shift. Lastly, Southwestern Mandarin was found to play an important bridging role in Yi students’ daily communication and was endowed by Yi students with both sentimental and instrumental value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]