Critical Review of English-Arabic World Journal
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): Critical Review of English-Arabic World Journal

A Linguistic Landscape Study of Bilingual Public Signage in Heritage Tourism Areas of Kotagede Yogyakarta

Kharisma Silvia (Universitas Terbuka)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study explores the linguistic landscape in the heritage tourism area of Kotagede, Yogyakarta. It aims to identify the varieties of language used on public signs and to evaluate their effectiveness in terms of their informative and symbolic functions in public spaces. Employing a purely qualitative approach through photographic documentation, 12 samples of public signage were purposively selected from the Kotagede Traditional Market area, the Gedhe Mosque Complex, and the courtyard of the Royal Cemetery of the Mataram Kings. The findings reveal a dynamic contestation among Indonesian as the national language, English as the language of global tourism, and the Javanese language and script as symbols of local culture. Functionally, the linguistic landscape of Kotagede is considered sufficiently effective in guiding tourists and highly effective in projecting the identity and authentic atmosphere of a heritage city amid the forces of modernization.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

crewjournal

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

All articles submitted to CREW journal will be screened out by the editor for initial review to see whether or not they meet the scopes and aims of the journal and have sufficient quality before they are sent out for a peer review process. The CREW journal offers critical and fresh insight into ...