Multilingual Landscapes in a Dai-centered Region

The study of linguistic landscape (LL) has attracted researchers’ attention since the 1970s. Through its representation of languages, the LL may reflect power relationships, as well as the challenges and economic phenomena associated with those languages. This study focuses on the LL of a Dai-centred minority region in southwestern China which borders Laos, aiming to explore the visibility and distribution of languages in public spaces and their implications for linguistic diversity and related challenges. The research site is a region where multiple languages coexist. Through the visibility of these languages and the inconsistency between LL signs and the soundscape, it is found that, although the Dai language appears to share equal status with Chinese characters on the surface, there are significant challenges in real usage. Additionally, the local government’s language-related policies also have a significant impact on the actual use of the Dai language. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the complex relationship between language and society in minority regions.