The Functions of Language on Public Signs in Pakse, Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic: A Study Based on the Linguistic Landscape Approach

Abstract

This research article aims to examine the functions of languages on public signs in Pakse, Champasak Province, Lao PDR. Data were collected from 858 public signs, both government and private, classified into four types: directional signs, advertising and public relations signs, place and agency signs, and commercial signs. signs. The data were analyzed using the language functions framework proposed by Ben-Rafael et al. (2006;2009), comprising four dimensions: (1) Presentation of Self, (2) Good Reasons, (3) Power Relations, and (4) Collective Identity. The findings reveal that language use on public signs in Pakse serves both informational and symbolic functions. Lao plays the most prominent role as the national language, reflecting state authority and policy control, while English, Chinese, and Vietnamese are frequently used on private signs to communicate with tourists and foreign investors. Furthermore, the arrangement of languages and the choice of wording on signs reflect the role of sign producers in presenting their identities and asserting their positions within the diverse social and economic landscape of this border city. The findings indicate that languages on public signs not only serve informational purposes but also fulfill symbolic functions in constructing meaning, expressing identity, and manifesting power in public space.