The Linguistic Landscape of Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania: Its Implication for Access to Information
Abstract
The paper examines the nature of linguistic public signs that constitute what is popularly known as Linguistic Landscape (LL) at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Tanzania to explain their implication for access to information in the hospital. The study employed the sociolinguistic theoretical framework to examine the nature of the LL of MNH and its implication for access to information as presented through public signs at the hospital. Data for this study constituted photos/public signs from the hospital premises and interview narratives from hospital clients and staff. The data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings show that the LL of MNH is
more controlled by top-down than bottom-up actors in which there are three visible languages: English, Swahili, and Chinese. The most preferred language patterns do not guarantee access to information to hospital clients in the public space of the hospital, since some clients fail to understand what is communicated through the signboards placed in the public space of the hospital. They use unfamiliar language pattern(s), mostly in English. This lowers further their participation in promoting health and taking responsibilities of their health concerns
while at the hospital.
Key words: linguistic landscape, Muhimbili, public space, sign
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