Linguistic Landscape as an Indicator of the Sociolinguistic Situation in the Lower Vítkovice (Ostrava)

Abstract

This paper explores the linguistic landscape of the Lower Vítkovice (DOV) area in Ostrava, focusing on the visibility of Polish as an indicator of the local sociolinguistic situation. The linguistic landscape is approached as a set of language practices in public space, whose visual and multimodal forms mirror broader cultural, ethnic, and communicative contexts. The analysis concentrates on Polish-language signs in DOV, a former industrial complex transformed into a cultural and educational hub and one of the most visited tourist sites in the Czech Republic. Findings show that Polish serves mainly as a supplementary code alongside Czech and English. Several types of multilingual signage are identified (duplicated, fragmentary, complementary), with Czech retaining dominance, while Polish often appears in reduced or stylistically inadequate forms. The occurrence of Polish inscriptions is linked primarily to tourism and labour migration rather than to the natural vitality of a minority community, as is the case in Czech Těšín region. Examples illustrate both inclusive practices (such as trilingual information boards) and potentially stigmatizing uses. Multimodal features play a crucial role in shaping comprehensibility and reception. The study thus provides not only a descriptive account but also a critical interpretation: Polish in DOV functions as a secondary yet stable language with symbolic and practical roles. Its presence in the public sphere indicates a degree of prestige and reflects deliberate efforts by a major cultural institution to accommodate cross-border visitors.