East Orange Linguistic Landscape

Most of the language seen in East Orange is in English, however, the variety and richness of the cultures in the community can be seen throughout the various examples of language. The cultural language in the community is

reflected through the use of words, colors, and images. In East Orange, the language is more than a written language but also a visual language giving

clues to the importance of each culture in the community.

Hair Salons and Barber Shops

Hair styles are a part of the African American community which is seen by the amount of hair salons and barber shops in East Orange. Most salons not only

include text, but images to communicate. In the first picture, the word “African” is not used, but rather a picture of Africa is shown and is filled in with the flag of Ghana. In the second picture, the word “gallery” is used giving the feeling that the hair styles are a work of art. This salon also has images of real women with different hair styles communicating through both written and visual language.

Hair Salons and Barber Shops

At the time of our visit, various barber shops were full of clients showing the popularity of barber

shops in East Orange.

Food Signage

The signs for the different food establishments include the specific type of food such as Caribbean seen above, and also include vivid

colors and imagery to represent the culture of the food.

Food Signage

Here is a West Indian restaurant and grocery store. This shows that being able to cook at home in the same way as their native culture is

important. Again the text on the signs are in English but notice the vivid colors in the right picture.

Food Signage

Both of these establishments cater to more than one culture at the same time: West Indian and African and Creole and West Indies. The language

is English but you know there is a lot of variety in the culture of East Orange and different languages potentially spoken in the community

based on the various food signage in this slide and the previous slides.

Food Signage

These food establishments show the Muslim influence in East Orange and the sign on the left has Arabic writing across the top,

indicating Arabic may be spoken in the community.

A few more different signs related to food

Snacks from a convenience store: Fried Pork Skins and Cassave Chips (Caribbean Snacks)

Signs in a general store: “We have tilapia and crocker fish in boxes” and “Beurre President $4.50” which is a French butter indicating that East Orange has some French speaking residents

Entertainment Signage

African Movie Stores and Music stores indicate the importance of both pastimes in East Orange. The African movies indicate that

African languages may be spoken in East Orange.

Religion

Various stores selling religious artifacts such as Muslim books and fashions in the image on the right.

Religion

Notice the “clean Christian environment” in the first image. An Islamic cultural center is on the right.

The smaller signs are written in Arabic.

Schools

French writing – a language that is spoken at home in some communities

Whitney E. Houston Academy (the school I researched for my community study)

This school has a Hispanic

Heritage Program – the sign is in

English but this clearly indicates members of the

community speak Spanish.

Other Interesting Signage

In East Orange, the library is where the community gathers for events. Perhaps this sign on the left indicates a lower

employment rate in East Orange. The sign on the right advertises help for diabetes and weight management maybe indicating some

health problems that are more common in East Orange.