English in the linguistic landscape of Zurich

Sammanfattning

This study investigates the linguistic landscape (LL) of Zurich, Switzerland, focusing on the prevalence and patterns of English usage on signage in four central areas: the Old Town (Niederdorf), Banking District (Bankenviertel), Business District (Europaallee), and University District (Hochschulquartier). The research aims to understand the role of English in a multilingual city where it is not an official language. The study involved photographing and analysing over 400 signs, categorising them by language, type (monolingual, bilingual, multilingual), and origin (top-down, bottom-up). The findings reveal a significant presence of English in the LL, particularly in the Banking District and Business District, reflecting Zurich’s status as an international hub. However, the use of multilingual signage is limited, raising questions about inclusivity and accessibility for non-German speakers. The study contributes to the understanding of the evolving linguistic ecology of multilingual urban environments and the impact of globalisation on language use in public spaces. It also highlights the need for inclusive language policies that cater to the diverse linguistic needs of the community.