Localization of English in Linguistic Landscape in Kathmandu
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Department of English Education
Abstract
The present study entitled Localization of English in Linguistic Landscape
in Kathmandu aimed to explore the way to what extent the linguistic
landscape express the localization of English in Kathmandu valley. It also
investigated the reasons behind the localization of English in commercial
billboards. Different materials can be used in linguistics landscape but I used
only public signs for consistency. One hundred signs from different
commercial places were selected for the analysis of the data. Data were
analyzed descriptively and thematically. The result of the study revealed that
English language dominates the linguistic landscape of Kathmandu. It has also
been found that the landscape of Kathmandu has presence of localized English
and it surpasses other national language in the main cities where there is an
ethnic majority of indigenous languages. Regarding the reasons behind the
localization of linguistic landscapes; market trend, a long-stance practice,
random use of English language, modern language, prestige reason, painters as
policy planners, eye catchy nature of English language, and convenience for
translator have been found as the major ones.
The first chapter deals with the introduction of the study consists of
background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study,
research questions, significance of the study, delimitations of the study, and
operational definitions of key terms. Second chapter includes the review of
related literature and conceptual framework and explained linguistic landscape
and World English. Also, it involves review of empirical literature,
implications of the review for the study, and conceptual framework. Chapter
three discusses about methods and procedures of the study. It consists of design
and method of the study, population, sample and sampling strategy, sources of
data, data collection tools and techniques, data collection procedures, data
analysis and interpretation procedures, and ethical considerations. Fourth
chapter incorporates interpretation of data where fifth chapter shows findings,
conclusion and recommendations related to policy, practice and further
research level. References and appendices have been included at the last part of
this thesis.