English Abstract
Abstract :
Along with a modern trend in sociolinguistics, this study, to the best of the researcher's knowledge, can be a blueprint for the investigation of multilingualism, which is found on shop signs in Bahrain. The purpose of the current mixed-method sequential explanatory study is to compare the two traditional commercial markets of Manama and Muharraq. The study has three successive phases. It includes obtaining quantitative data by surveying 1000 photographs of shop signs in the two markets, then conducting semi-structured interviews with two randomly selected groups of sixty-six shop owners in the two compared markets, followed by a number of forty semi-structured interviews with two randomly selected groups of Bahraini shop sign readers. Findings from the first phase of the study reveal the supremacy of the bilingual Arabic-English pattern in the linguistic landscape of the two traditional markets of Manama and Muharraq. English outshines Arabic in commercial Manama only, though language policies in the country impose the use of Arabic for advertising on shop signs. The Bengali language attends as a third dominant figure after Arabic and English and a third partner on most of the trilingual shop signs in the two markets. Qualitative follow-up semi-structured interviews with shop owners clarify the reasons for the promotion and demotion of different languages in the commercial linguistic landscape of Bahrain and show how dynamic the linguistic landscape in Bahrain is. Further qualitative follow-up semi- structured interviews with the Bahraini shop sign readers show their positive attitudes towards the complex multilingual context. Nonetheless, a big number of the selected Bahraini sign readers express their concerns about the absence of elements organising shop signs such as the size and position of Arabic -the national language- when compared to other foreign languages. Other concerns are raised about the misspelled Arabic words, as well as the use of inconvenient pictures and graphics inspired by other foreign cultures that defies the values and customs of the society. Implications and recommendations for language policy and language planning, and for future research have been provided. Although the use of Arabic is endorsed and maintained by the official bodies, it is occasionally excluded from attending in the commercial linguistic landscape in Bahrain and replaced by English. The study, hence, suggests issuing disciplinary measures to protect the national language of the country and the identity of its people in a way that guarantees an organized multilingual commercial linguistic landscape in Bahrain.
