Resumen de Linguistic landscapes of peripheral small towns: a case study of Villány, Hungary

Askarbek Mambetaliev

• This study, framed by linguistic landscape theory, examines the interplay of language, power, and social dynamics in Villány, Hungary, a small cross-border town historically prone to dynamic linguistic reorientation due to the influences of tourism, migration, and politics. Employing the linguistic landscape method, the research analyses public signage to reveal patterns of language distribution, linguistic hierarchy, and the influence of tourism. Findings demonstrate a dominance of Hungarian, with English emerging as the primary non-Hungarian language, reflecting the impact of national language policies and global economic forces. Notably, the near absence of Romani, despite the presence of ethnic Roma, underscores issues of language exclusion and social marginalisation. A comparative analysis with Mohács highlights Villány's unique engagement with multilingualism and the selective nature of linguistic inclusion. The research argues for language policies that balance national linguistic identity with the inclusion of global languages and the promotion of minority language visibility, thereby fostering social justice. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how linguistic landscapes in peripheral regions are shaped by the complex interplay of tourism, power, and local contexts.