Language Diversity in Urban Landscapes: An Econometric Study

28 Pages Posted: 19 May 2008

See all articles by Laura Onofri

Laura Onofri

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM)

Paulo A. L. D. Nunes

University of Padua - Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro Forestali (TeSAF)

Jasone Cenoz

University of the Basque Country

Durk Gorter

University of the Basque Country

Date Written: April 2008

Abstract

This multidisciplinary study adopts econometric analysis for investigating how different characteristics determine the choice of the language used in the signs of a shopping street. We work with a dataset containing about 200 observations collected in the main shopping streets of the cities of Donostia (Spain) and Ljouwert (The Netherlands). The results corroborate the important assumption that multilingualism and the choice of the language (even in a street sign) is an individual and a social preference. Therefore, understanding individuals' linguistic preference structures is preliminary to the target and design of proper linguistic and social policies.

Keywords: Linguistic Diversity, Street Sign, Probit Model, Linguistic Landscape

JEL Classification: C01, R20, Z13

Suggested Citation

Onofri, Laura and Dias Nunes, Paulo Augusto and Cenoz, Jasone and Gorter, Durk, Language Diversity in Urban Landscapes: An Econometric Study (April 2008). FEEM Working Paper No. 40.2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1131202

Laura Onofri

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) ( email )

C.so Magenta 63
Milano, 20123
Italy

Paulo Augusto Dias Nunes (Contact Author)

University of Padua - Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro Forestali (TeSAF) ( email )

Legnaro, Padova 35020
Italy

Jasone Cenoz

University of the Basque Country ( email )

Barrio Sarriena s/n
Leioa, Bizkaia 48940
Spain

Durk Gorter

University of the Basque Country ( email )

Barrio Sarriena s/n
Leioa, Bizkaia 48940
Spain

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