Linguistic Landscape of Referral Hospitals in Tanzania: Reasons for Language Choice on Signage

Abstract

Language choice on signage is a vital role in the display of language on signage in hospital compounds. This study aimed at assessing the reasons for language choice on signage that constitute the popular notion known as linguistic landscape at Bukoba and Sekou Toure referral hospitals. The study employed Language choice theory on signage which was developed by Spolsky and Cooper (1991). A total of 36 respondents were involved. They include hospital management teams, medical care providers, patients, and their aides. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to get the sample while data were collected through observations and interviews. The findings show that there are different reasons for language choice on signage which are categorised into three, namely monolingual in Kiswahili, English, and bilingual language on signage. These reasons include the use of monolinguals as the national language, foreign language, official language whereas bilingual is used to complement monolingual language on signage. Despite the use of bilingual language on signage, monolingual language on signage was predominant where some targeted people were excluded from the message displayed on signage. The study recommends increasing the number of bilingual languages on signage for smooth communication, especially in hospital surroundings, including adapting bilingual policy on signage.