Character similarity is not all: Sociolinguistic Comparison of Hong Kong and Taiwan

Figure 1 Cantonese in Hong Kong         

The viewpoint on linguistic landscape initially emphasized its role on the visibility and salience of languages on public and commercial signs, which is a symbolical representation of power and status of linguistic communities in a specific territory or area (Landry & Bourhis, 1997). Starting with the written texts on public signs, the further researches have moved beyond with a more contextualized, historicized and spatialized perspective with more systematic empirical methodologies across multiple features to linguistic landscape studying(Lou, 2009; Van Mensel et al., 2016). That is, the built environment is a resonance of the written system interacts with other features to construct a not simply physical but also ideological space (Leeman & Modan, 2009), and the presence of language in public space offers evidence about underlying ideologies concerning particular codes and their speakers (Hélot, 2012).

Through empirical evidence analysis, the present study aims to compare the sociolinguistic landscapes of Hong Kong and Taiwan, exploring the factors, such as  government policies, political environment, education system, and cultural values, that influence language use and their dynamics. By examining the linguistic diversity, it is meaningful to gain insights into complex interplay between language and identity in these two multilingual contexts.

English has become a crucial means of communication in both geographical areas, as a lingua franca nowadays (Canagarajah, 2007; Pennycook, 2017). English signs are shown in Figure 3-4. English is particularly more prominent in Hong Kong due to its status as a globalized metropolis and financial center. The language policies, education system have deeply contributed to a higher prevalence of English usage compared to Taiwan as well.

Although both using unsimplified Chinese characters in a capitalist society, political, cultural, and other complicated factors have significant influence on the language’s openness level, giving rise to different sociolinguistic landscapes. In Hong Kong, due to its unique political status and social environment, there are certain restrictions and taboos on language usage. Although some topics are relatively sensitive in discourse, such as sexuality, the rights of vulnerable groups, and LGBTQ+ groups, they can still appear in public, although the “slogan-like” appeal to some extent (as shown in Figure 5). In contrast, Taiwan demonstrates a more extensive commitment to language openness, actively promotes cultural equality and diversity, encouraging various ethnic groups to preserve their languages and opinions with less limitations and more widespread acceptance. Furthermore, equality slogans and displays are much deeper, with the attribution of democratic policies, social movements, and cultural identity there (as shown in Figure 6). Taking female breast enhancement surgery as an example, the relevant advertisements seen in Hong Kong are limited to breast augmentation or breast beautification procedures (as shown in Figure 7), which aim to make breasts more tender. while in Taiwan, there have been advertisements for flat chest surgery (as shown in Figure 8), targeting women who identify themselves with a more individualistic and masculine aesthetic preference, reflecting that the society also supports this identity recognition of such sexual minorities.

Conclusion

Rooted in Chinese culture, regional variants have been developed as it absorbs the elements within their own ecology. Multiple language choices like Cantonese,  Hokkien and English serve not only as tools of communication but also as expressions of regional identity and cultural heritage, showcasing the unique and diverse cultures of these regions. The presence of equality slogans and advertisements further reflects the societal values and cultural identity of each region, reflecting different linguistic diversity and openness. These findings underline the complex interplay between language, society, culture, and identity in these two multilingual contexts.