Was at a #LedbyDonkeys #Guardian event last night and reminded by the set how much their interventions rely on appropriating signifiers from the #LinguisticLandscape like HiViz jackets, signage, and formulaic language to evade barriers like security guards and police to get their massage through. 👍👏

A different use of the flag at today’s #StandUpToRacism rally in London. I trust this is a biblical reference rather than a nod to the rather dodgy 1970s sitcom of that name. #LinguisticLandscapes

A massive thank you to the #LL16 team for such a wonderful conference. Today’s outing to the Zollverein - the former coal mine turned museum and park - could not have been more appropriate and excellent fun! Evelyn, that Applied Swinguistics group and conference needs setting up now!

2 gr8 talks on stickers a@ #LL16 yesterday: Mellie Gonçalves on their use in the climate context both as protest and adverts, the QR code now a bridge to the online ‘bigger’ story. Ditto with Elana Shohamy on the sticker ‘war’ in NYC on the Gaza crisis.

2 gr8 talks on stickers a@ #LL16 yesterday: Mellie Gonçalves on their use in the climate context both as protest and adverts, the QR code now a bridge to the online ‘bigger’ story. Ditto with Elana Shohamy on the sticker ‘war’ in NYC on the Gaza crisis.

A wonderful keynote from Jackie Jia Lou reminding us - and even better modelling for us - that bringing our creativity (Poesie) to our research (Theoria) is not a paradigm shift, but a paradigm extension. #LL16

Combining my twin passions of football and semiotics, a great article from Jonathan Liew about the use of the English Cross of St George flag, sport and politics. And bang on topic at this conference on Linguistic Landscapes!. #LL16 #JonathanLiew

Channeling my inner Munch last night ahead of giving a talk at #LL16 this morning! God knows what I’d be like if this wasn’t the most friendly gathering!

Taking a break at #LL16 to take a look at Essen Uni’s linguistic landscape. This seems very on-topic for a conference on ‘Collapse and Transformation’ (You can do it’.) Whether I’d look to religion for transformation rather than the library nearby is less obvious. And why express hope in English?!

Mairead Moriarty at #LL16 on the Seascape: ‘We need to move beyond the Anthropocene and think like a planet.’ Brilliantly original plenary focused on engaging in a multisensory way with sea(scape), ‘drifting’ to new understandings, leading to activism.

On the Eurostar to Brussels heading to Essen via Cologne for the always excellent Linguistic Landscapes Workshop, and wishing all my fellow travellers a bon voyage! And big thanks to the organisers for making the preparations so hassle-free and welcoming! Bis bald! #LL16

‘The Triumph of Art’ procession and fayre, bringing new and old vibes to Trafalgar Square. Hip hop and Morris’s, steel pans and brass band, art, craft and joy from all over the land. All brought together by #JeremyDeller, a charming man, a prodigious feller.’

Another great act of not just telling but viscerally showing truth to power from Led by Donkeys.

A bilingual sign by some steps leading down to Lake Constance. It struck me as interesting that the German tells you what the danger is (slipping), but not the potential cause, the English tells you what might cause a problem, but leaves you to infer what the danger is. #LinguisticLandscapes

Always good to hear from #NeilMercer.

A very interesting combination of the watermelon, symbol of Palestine, and Liverpool Football Club’s mantra ‘You’ll never walk alone’. Solidarity in the shared struggle for justice.

A reminder that fascists are always happy to bomb civilians: Franco then, Netanyahu now.

I wonder how many people have quit the ‘Labour’ Party since the election as members realise that the Starmer government is an island of strangers to their beliefs. #Labour #IslandOfStrangers

Shocked that the BBC interpreter rendering the new Pope’s speech translated Augustinius as Augustus. Clearly doesn’t know his arse from his Hippo.

In Runnymede, where Magna Carta enshrined the principle that kings are not above the law, came across an amazing artwork by #MarkWallinger, ‘Writ in Water’ citing Clause 39 of Magna Carta, & thought of #AbregoGarcia & al other victims of would-be King Donald. All tyrants fall. #LinguisticLandscapes

Walking in Runnymede today, home of the Magna Carta, wellspring of habeas corpus, and this memorial to JFK. Can’t help thinking how far from these ideals the US and its current president have fallen. #LinguisticLandscapes

Swahili? Mandarin? The UK is increasingly multilingual – yet our politicians won’t talk about it.

Linguistic nationalism - the last refuge of the insecure scoundrel,

Another great video from @ledbydonkeys.org - this time exploring the 'Linguistic Sandscape'! #LinguisticLandscapes

I’m with Goethe: Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen.’ (If you don’t know others’ languages you know nothing of your own.)

It may be vindication, but it isn’t justice if there are no consequences for the perpetrators and little solace for the families, friends and survivors. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

A great short article and video from my OU colleague Zsuzsanna Barkanyi: ‘I have an accent, (why) does it matter? @ouopenlearn.bsky.social

Congratulations Philip! Looking forward to seeing where this project goes next - literally!

How bona to varda Greenwich Maritime Museum putting this event on. Put a smile on my eek!

Institute of Translation and Interpreting raises serious concerns over University of Cardiff plans to close modern languages and translation courses, and warns of the serious economic, cultural and educational risks of such a move www.iti.org.uk/resource/iti...

A strong and very welcome statement from NALDIC on the dangers of divisive nationalism, and the need to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment for EAL learners and those who work with and for them.

Accentism remains remarkably robust in the Uk. This report confirms similar research over the last 60 years or so. And as a proud Scouser, it does me ‘ed in! www.theguardian.com/law/2025/jan...

Hope springing eternal in the #LinguisticLandscape.

Great to see NALDIC is now here! If you’re interested in EAL, bilingual learners then give them a follow!

Interesting on EAL learners and phonics. The report raises questions about its efficacy in identifying key elements in reading success as EAL learners are just as likely to pass the phonics screening but then do less well in reading assessments. #EAL #NALDIC #bilinguallearners

I wonder how much time and effort the copywriter calculated readers might be willing to put in decoding this: only ever inverting the position of two adjacent letters, always including a vowel.

Lots of really interesting work at the Koestler Awards ‘No Comment’ exhibition of prisoner art at London’s SouthBank. Curated by Jeremy Deller and John Cost. Ends Dec 15 so hurry!

Great Piece from Prof. Cameron in which she analyses just what (former) TV presenter Greg Wallace meant by ‘women of a certain age’. debuk.wordpress.com/2024/12/06/w...

Another extraordiary and powerful intervention in the #LinguisticLandscape by @LedByDonkeys on the genocide in Gaza. Incredible work and strong words from Holocaust scholar Prof. Amos Goldberg

Another banner from last week’s climate demo in London. Interesting how the parallel lettering sizes & layout are used to make/emphasise a connection between the climate catastrophe & the catastrophic events in Gaza & their foundation in an underlying human rights ethos. One struggle, one fight!

Interesting use of lab coat to underscore science message!

Hearts may be on sleeves, but the messages are on backs!

And off we go! Lots of banners linking the climate to other issues such as human rights and Palestine.

Looking forward to reading and posting about all things language! Especially the linguistic landscape. I'll be off to today's climate protest in London and hope to see lots of interesting banners to post about.