Towards linguistic landscapes and (re)making tourist spaces in West Lake, Hangzhou, China: A visual ethnography

Abstract

This paper critically examines linguistic landscapes in West Lake, Hangzhou, China, and our study shows that the Chinese language has played a dominant role in the scenic area, reflecting its practical value and cultural status. Further, the linguistic landscapes have integrated classical elements and modern features, presenting West Lake as a classical and modern space. The bilingual/multilingual signs have produced a modern/globalized space, and the language media/electronic signs create a dialogical and fluid space for tourists. The legend signs suggest a cultural and romantic space, and linguistic landscapes with rich information about plants and environmental protection construct an ecological space of harmony between people and nature. Thus, classical, modern, cultural, interactive, and ecological elements of the linguistic landscape combine in an effective integration to create immersive and inclusive tourist spaces. This paper contributes to literature on (re)making space and will advance understanding of the importance of linguistic landscape.