The Linguistic Landscape of Kazan: Language Ideologies and Policies in Shaping Tatar Language Representation

This thesis examines how language ideologies and policies impact the representation of the Tatar language in the official public signage of Kazan’s city centre. By analysing the linguistic landscape of Kremlin, Bauman, and Nasiri streets, this research seeks to understand the impact of legislative frameworks and language ideologies on public signage. The study employs a dual methodology: a legislative analysis of current and historical laws from the Republic of Tatarstan and the Russian Federation, and a visual analysis of street signs using Google Maps and Yandex Maps. The findings highlight the complex relationship between federal, republican, and municipal legislation, which often results in discrepancies and non-compliance at lower administrative levels. Language ideologies also significantly shape the final appearance of signs, influencing factors such as script choice, language inclusion, and the prioritisation of Tatar or Russian. Despite legal mandates, human factors in sign...Show moreThis thesis examines how language ideologies and policies impact the representation of the Tatar language in the official public signage of Kazan’s city centre. By analysing the linguistic landscape of Kremlin, Bauman, and Nasiri streets, this research seeks to understand the impact of legislative frameworks and language ideologies on public signage. The study employs a dual methodology: a legislative analysis of current and historical laws from the Republic of Tatarstan and the Russian Federation, and a visual analysis of street signs using Google Maps and Yandex Maps. The findings highlight the complex relationship between federal, republican, and municipal legislation, which often results in discrepancies and non-compliance at lower administrative levels. Language ideologies also significantly shape the final appearance of signs, influencing factors such as script choice, language inclusion, and the prioritisation of Tatar or Russian. Despite legal mandates, human factors in sign production frequently affect compliance, with official signage sometimes deviating from established norms. This suggests that non-official signage may exhibit even greater variations. The study identifies a trend where Tatar, while legally supported, is treated more symbolically than functionally, with detailed information typically provided in Russian. To enhance the representation of the Tatar language, the thesis recommends several actions for policymakers: (1) mandating the use of republics' state languages at the federal level, (2) strengthening penalties for non-compliance, (3) and introducing a strict design code for bilingual signage. Additionally, promoting the Tatar language within society is crucial to ensuring its natural integration into the linguistic landscape.Show less

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The Linguistic Landscape of Kazan: Language Ideologies and Policies in Shaping Tatar Language Representation