The University of Malta’s linguistic landscape : policy, practice and education

Abstract

This study set out to explore the linguistic landscape of the University of Malta (UM), in order to find out: (i) To what extent, and in what ways, the linguistic landscape of the Msida campus is aligned with the official language policy of the UM, and (ii) What is the composition of the LL that future teachers are exposed to while studying at UM. The analysis is based on a data set of 2956 photographs consisting of advertisements, notices and other signs, taken inside and outside most of the buildings and open spaces at the Msida campus. The data is presented according to (i) its physical location, (ii) the visibility of languages, and (iii) the type of signs. The results show that although the UM’s language policy and guidelines promote the Maltese language, an average of 92% of the signs are in English, irrespective of whether they are official or unofficial. The paper ends with recommendations so that the LL on campus can provide a more culturally and linguistically appropriate milieu especially one that prepares student teachers for a teaching career in a multilingual and multicultural school environment.