12 - Verba Volant, Scripta Manent. Reconstructing the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia Antica

Summary

This paper aims to study the value of applying the concept of Linguistic Landscape Studies to past landscapes. The concept, which is derived from Sociolinguistics, has been applied to a case-study of the reconstruction of the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia. The results of this case-study as well as the theoretical considerations about the concept are presented here.

The paper shows that by formulating a specific methodology to apply the concept of Linguistic Landscapes to archaeological data, it is possible to recognise a variety of patterns that show the relationship between texts and their spatial location. These patterns show that the population of Ostia continuously modified the Linguistic Landscape to suit their needs, recognising various diachronous patterns.

The research also indicates various limitations that exist in the application of Linguistic Landscapes and the paper sets out various goals for future research further to overcome these, as well as to broaden our knowledge of past Linguistic Landscapes and the role of written texts as material culture.

INTRODUCTION

This paper discusses the value of understanding the role of written texts in its original spatial location in archaeological research. To do this, the methodological and theoretical framework of “Linguistic Landscape Studies” is used in exploratory research into this topic, focusing on its application in a case-study of the Linguistic Landscape of Ostia. The goal of the paper is to show that this relatively unexplored avenue of research yields valuable information on the role of texts as material culture, which allows for new insights into the way that they were related to the landscape and influenced its perception. The paper first introduces the theoretical framework used in the case-study. The bulk of the paper then concerns the case-study itself, which is first introduced through the methodology that was created for it. The analyses and interpretations are then presented, showing the various new insights that are gained by studying written texts as a form of material culture. The limitations are discussed next, followed by a conclusion about the case-study specific and the potential for Linguistic Landscape Studies in archaeology in general. Finally, future directions for research are laid out.