The linguistic landscape of maquinchao and los menucos: multilingualism, migration and power relations in the public space.

Abstract

This article deals with a qualitative analysis of the urban linguistic landscape of Maquinchao and Los Menucos, towns located on the Línea Sur of Rio Negro. We analyse those texts visible in the public space, a place where power relations are settled, such as graffiti, murals, names of commercial premises and names of some public institutions that show the presence of other languages, besides Spanish. This analysis will provide data on the current socio-linguistic situation in the region, as well as describing the links of some apuche communities with other organisations and local authorities, and their interest in using mapuzungun for their demands.

Key words: linguistic landscape, multilingualism, mapuzungun, migration, Línea Sur.