Bilingualism and the name-semiotic landscape

The laws of minority name use and the visual use of proper names in Slovakia

Abstract

Bilingualism and the name-semiotic landscape. The laws of minority name use and the visual use of proper names in Slovakia  

The paper examines the connections between bilingualism and the name-semiotic landscape, focusing especially on the name-semiotic landscape of Slovakian settlements populated by Hungarian minorities as well as on name laws affecting the visual use of proper names in Slovakia. The name-semiotic landscape consists of proper names (especially personal names, place names and the names of institutions) that appear on name signs, notices in public places and other surfaces (e.g. on posters, wall surfaces, gravestones, tableaux). The author explores the extent to which Slovakian settlements with Hungarian minorities respect minority language rights in the visual use of proper names; whether or not native name use is spreading; and also examines the presence of signs and notices including Hungarian proper names. The paper describes the semiotic landscape characteristic of Slovakian settlements populated by Hungarian minorities with respect to each name type: personal names, place names and the names of institutions.