Intersectional dialogue in the linguistic landscape of Honolulu Chinatown

Abstract

This study utilizes nexus analysis to explore the linguistic landscape of Honolulu Chinatown, focusing on the Wo Fat Building's external walls as a corpus for visual text analysis. By documenting and analyzing a variety of texts, including authorized texts, graffiti, and community murals, the research aims to understand the intersectional dialogue among community members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Interviews with individuals representing different community roles reveal the complex and sometimes conflicting values within the community. The study highlights the differential representation and symbolic value of languages and cultures in public spaces, contributing to the discourse on intersectional dialogue and the importance of documenting the linguistic landscapes of diverse neighborhoods like Honolulu Chinatown.