IN-PERSON London. Section A

Abstract

When those who arrive in a city have had to cross borders to reach their destination, they often do not speak the local language. Not understanding what is written around them becomes an insurmountable border that prevents them from participating in society. This is a situation faced not only by newcomers but also by those who, despite having been residents for a while, are only in contact with a very narrow circle of compatriots with whom they share a neighborhood, customs, and language. In an attempt to provide alternatives with which to tackle the problem, this paper makes a proposal based on sociolinguistics, specifically from the field of Linguistic Landscapes (LL). To this end, after briefly presenting the field of study of LL, it will show ways in which cities can linguistically welcome migrants, or not, with images taken in different cities around the world. Infographics created in the framework of an interdisciplinary university Service-Learning project will also be presented to highlight the crucial, but often overlooked role of language in equity, social justice, and the right to the city.