LANGUAGE CHOICE OF PUBLIC SIGNAGE IN PANYAPIWAT INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT: A LINGUISTIC LANDSCAPE STUDY

Abstract

This research aims to study the language patterns and functions of the language appearing on public signs in Panyapiwat Institute of Management 359 public signs based on the linguistics landscape, which reflect the language usage in educational institutes. The study applies the concept of linguistic landscape from Landry and Bourhis (1997)

               The findings reveal that bilingual signs appear most frequently in Panyapiwat Institute of Management, with 171 signs, where the most common combination is Thai and English, appearing on 132 signs. Following this are monolingual signs, totaling 115, with an equal number of 57 signs each in Thai and English, and only one sign using Chinese. The least common are multilingual signs, totaling 73, with the majority being Thai-English-Chinese signs, amounting to 62 signs. Regarding the functions of the language on these signs, all were found to provide information. The most frequent function was to inform general information, with 290 signs, followed by directional or locational guidance with 30 signs, instructions or prohibitions with 22 signs, requests for cooperation with 9 signs, and the least common function was warnings or advance notices with 8 signs. The study indicates that Panyapiwat Institute of Management is a linguistically diverse area, as it is an educational institution with students from various countries. Hence the presence of numerous multilingual and multiculturalism public signs indicates the successful communication in that area.