Linguistic landscapes and socio-spatial practices in waterfront regions

Abstract While in history the location near water has led to economic advantages, it increasingly has become a threat from natural disasters. As environmental crises intensify, linguistic landscapes in waterfront regions – coastal towns or lakeside communities – become vital records of both historical and contemporary responses to ecological threats. This project introduces data gathered from waterfront regions, specifically Konstanz on Lake Constance and Nantes near the Atlantic coast, and investigates the toponymic interplay between language and water representations (cf. Petkova 2017). Through commercial signage, place names, and transgressive texts, we analyse how cities construct their identities through their waterfront locations both in past and contemporary meaning-making. Signs indexing a sense of belonging with reference to the waterfront are, for instance, commercial names such as Seezeit (‘lake time’ for student services) or Seehas (‘lake rabbit’ for local trains). Inscriptions and place names indicate a former function in relation to the water that are no longer in use today, such as Fischmarkt (‘fish market’) or Hoher Hafen (‘high harbour’). Flood markings serve as reminders for water threats, while transgressive Leave No One Behind signs located on bridges reference perilous water crossings and (fatal) consequences of failed migration policies. Our research questions are How and to which extent do coastal and lakeside towns create an identity through linguistic reference to water in public spaces? Has the relationship with water changed, and how? What similarities and differences can be identified between different cities near the water? To address these questions, we are introducing a coding framework that aims at differentiating signs in their function and contextual references. The goal of this project is to compile a systematic review of linguistic landscapes across waterfront places to investigate the role of natural water in the construction of past and present identities. Session Details: Specialised Scopes 3/6, Time: 03/Sept/2025: 4:15pm-5:45pm Available data Supplemental Notes Presentation Slides Script for the App Script for image preparation