A linguistic study of street signs of Algiers, Algeria

الملخص EN

This paper is a descriptive-analytical study of the linguistic landscape (LL) of three streets in the capital of Algeria, Algiers.

The study focuses on the existent languages and their use in the public spaces in relation to the state’s language policy.

It mainly discusses the number of languages used in the LL of Algiers, the status of the streets signs (official/nonofficial), and the characteristics of the bi/multilingual signs.

A smart phone is used to collect 366 pictures of signs in Hassiba Ben Bouali Street (140 m), Larbi Ben Mhidi Street (116 m) and Didouche Mourad Street (110 m).

The findings indicate that the LL of Algiers shows significant differences in the choice and number of languages used with regard to the status of signs, for instance the clear presence of the second national language, Tamazight on only the official signs while English has been found on only the nonofficial signs.

The results also indicate that the LL of Algiers shows inconsistencies between the state’s language policy and the social practices as indicated in the public signs.

The study suggests that the more increased appearance of minority and local languages like Berber and Algerian Arabic reflects the culture of the country and prevents them from language shift and loss.