LINGUISTIC LANDSCAPE OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT, QUEZON PROVINCE

This paper explored the linguistic landscape of public secondary schools in a school district in the province of Quezon. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered to investigate what languages are displayed, who produced the signs, what materials are used, who the target audience is, where the signs are emplaced and what communicative functions are shown in the 428 signs collected in selected public secondary schools in a school district. The study has shown the dominance of monolingual English over Filipino and bilingual language, English-Filipino. Top-down sign makers are superior in creating displays that denote their powerful control on signage. Among the materials used in signage, paper was dominantly used, indicating its availability for the sign makers. Bottom-up audience are the most worthwhile on the signs displayed. The schools have a manageable control over signs, since they are 100% situated. The signs from these schools each have different characteristics. Using Finnocchiaro and Brumfit’s (1983) categories of communicative functions, it reveals that mostly school signs serve as referential and directive functions. It recommends the use of the school signs in a language classroom and suggests to review of government language policy, definitely the Executive Order No. 335 in 1998 and the DepEd Order No. 74, s. 2009. It asks also to designate signage committee who will examine or review the sign and establish a standardize signage policy among schools.